Blueberry-And-Walnut Pie

Directions

MIXING THE PASTRY DOUGH: Stir together the dry ingredients in a bowl.

Cut up and add the butter; toss gently to coat.

Rub in the butter until the mixture looks sandy.

Beat the egg and toss into the flour and butter mixture.

Press the dough together, wrap and chill it.

FORMING THE PIE SHELL: Lightly flour the work surface and dough.

Roll the dough to a 14-inch diameter disk, ⅛ inch thick.

Fit the dough into a 9-inch oven-proof glass pie pan and trim away all but ¼ inch of the excess dough.

Turn the excess dough under and flute the edge of the pie.

Chill while preparing the filling.

MIXING THE FILLING: Rinse and pick over the blueberries and drain them on a paper-towel-lined pan.

Combine one third of the berries and the sugar in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Simmer the berries in the juices that accumulate about 5 minutes.

Strain the juices into another pan.

Pour the water into a small bowl and stir in the cornstarch to dissolve it.

Return the blueberry juices to a boil and beat about one quarter of it into the dissolved cornstarch.

Return the remaining juices to a boil and beat the cornstarch mixture into it.

Return the juices to a boil, beating constantly, and allow to boil about 1 to 2 minutes, beating constantly.

Stir in the remaining blueberries, the cooked berries, lemon zest and walnuts, and cool.

MIXING THE CRUMB TOPPING: Cream the butter until soft, add the sugar and cream until soft and light.

Beat in the cinnamon.

Mix in the flour, then the walnuts.

The mixture should fall into large, soft crumbs.

Pour the filling into the prepared pan and smooth.

Scatter over the crumbs and bake at 350℉ (180℃) until the filling is set, the crumbs have colored and the crust is baked through, about 40 minutes.

Cool on a rack.

Makes one 9-inch pie.