a recipe for Apricot and Peach Fried Pies

Ingredients

For the Dough:

- 2 cups all-purpose flour

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

- 1/4 cup cold water

For the Filling

- 1 cup apricots, pitted and diced

- 1 cup peaches, peeled and diced

- 1/4 cup granulated sugar

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice

- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

- 1 tablespoon cornstarch

- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)

- Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the cold butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

2. Gradually add the cold water and mix until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

3. In a separate bowl, combine the diced apricots, peaches, granulated sugar, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and cornstarch. Toss until the fruits are well coated in the sugar and spices. Set aside.

4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a round cutter (about 4-5 inches in diameter) to cut out circles from the dough.

5. Place a spoonful of the apricot and peach filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together to seal the pies.

6. In a deep skillet or pot, heat enough oil for frying over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add a few pies at a time, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the pies for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy.

7. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the fried pies to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

8. Repeat the frying process with the remaining pies, adding more oil if needed.

9. Once the fried pies have cooled slightly, dust them with powdered sugar.

10. Serve the Apricot and Peach Fried Pies warm or at room temperature. They can be enjoyed as a delicious snack or dessert.

Note: You can adjust the sweetness of the filling by adding more or less sugar, depending on your taste preference. Be careful when frying the pies, as hot oil can be dangerous. Monitor the temperature and be cautious while handling the fried pies. Enjoy these delightful treats!