Blue ribbon pie crust

I am going to be honest. I have really procrastinated on starting this part of the website. There is two reasons for this. I love to cook but I don't keep track of measurements when I do. Each time I make something it tastes a little different. This makes it a little hard to give a recipe when I want to say just add a little of this or throw in a lot of that. I will put down measurements but feel free to adjust to your likes and tastes. You can also add in whatever you like or take away ingredients. This is what I love about cooking. There is a freedom to it. This is not the case with baking though. Baking is a science. Each ingredient plays an important role and measurements do matter. That is why I am starting with pie crust. I have exact measurements to give. 
The other reason I have held off on putting recipes up is because cooking is very personal. I am not a chef where I am creating works of art. Trust me, half the time my food is sloppy and ugly looking but it tastes delicious. (at least that is what my family tells me.) When I cook it always brings up memories or smells make me think of certain times in my life. And if you have never heard this the first and most important ingredient to cook with is love. This doesn't mean you hug your stainless steel pot or blow kisses into the food, I mean you can if you want. What I am talking about is thinking about who you are cooking for. Why you are cooking and enjoying the process. Now onto the pie crust. I will also add apple pie filling to the recipes but you can use this crust for dessert or main dishes such as chicken pot pie.
A portion of my childhood was spent in Mendocino County. Every year like every other child I looked forward to the county fair. One year when I was probably 9 my mom entered an apple pie into the fair and walked away with a blue ribbon. I remember being so proud of her, like that blue ribbon was the Nobel Peace Prize. Now I do not know if this recipe is a family secret but I am going to share it with everyone and apologize later to my mom if it is. Best part of this recipe is that its simple and easy and those are my favorite kind of recipes.
Pie Crust
Ingredients needed;
4 cups of flour
1 Tbs sugar
2 tsp salt
1 3/4 c shortening (butter flavor works the best)
1/2 c water (make sure its cold)
1 tbs vinegar
1 large egg
Directions;
Put flour, sugar and salt in large bowl then cut in shorting until crumbly.  In small bowl mix water, vinegar and egg.  Add to flour mix until moist. Divide into 4 portions. Shape into balls and chill ½ hour. Roll out on floured surface and floured rolling pin works best.
And thats all there is to it. Now for the apple filling. This can also be frozen and used at a later date. We also usually have access to 2nds on apples during apple season if you are wanting to purchase some.
Apple Filling
Ingredients;
4 c sliced peeled apples
2 Tbs lemon juice
1/2 c sugar
3 tbs cornstarch
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1tsp cinnamon
1 c warm water
Directions;
Place apple slices in bowl. Add 3/4 c water and lemon juice and mix around. This will keep your apples from browning.
In a saucepan whisk together cornstarch and 1/4 c water until blended.
Add the sugar and spices then whisk until blended.
Add all of the contents of the apple slices to the pot and cook on low until all of the apples are tender.
Allow to cool until you add to the pie crust.

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