Sweet Land of Liberty ...

Happy 4th of July to ALL!

Aunt Rosie's Pie Crust:

2 c. flour

1 c. shortening

handful of granulated sugar

dash of salt

1 glass, ice water

* 1 egg white, beaten w/ 2 T water

Cut flour into shortening with pastry cutter (or end of whisk). Add sugar & salt. Work mixture until it becomes pea-like.

Add a bit of ice water and mix in. Keep adding bits of ice water until dough becomes easy to roll. Make into two balls.

Roll dough on powdered sugar surface (I prefer this rather than flour)

Place 1st bottom dough into pie plate, molding & pricking the bottom & sides with a fork. Mixed Berry Filling:

1 c. granulated sugar

1/4 c. cornstarch

lemon zest of one lemon

1 t. vanilla extract

1/4 t. cinnamon

4 c. fresh berries (of your choosing)

Mix all ingredients together in bowl. Fold in fresh berries. Pour mixture into pie shell. Add top layer of crust.

* Beat water into egg white and brush onto top of crust. Sprinkle generously with granulated sugar.

Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 40-50 minutes.

Filling recipe courtesy of Allrecipes.com :)

Oh! By the way ... I used fresh raspberries & blackberries (Thank you, Kris Sotos!)

and fresh blueberries & strawberries (from the local market).

Where liberty dwells, there is my country.

- Benjamin Franklin