3granny smithgolden delicious, or gala apples (or a combo!), peeled and medium diced
½cupdark brown sugar
1tspcinnamon
⅛tspnutmeg
1tspkosher salt
Juice of 1 lemon
1tspvanilla extract
¼cupsugar
2Tbspall purpose flourplus more for dusting
4piecesfrozen paratha or rotithawed (can be found in the freezer section of most supermarkets)
1egg
1Tbspwater
Demerara sugar
Vegetable oilfor frying (at least 4 cups)
Powdered sugarfor dusting
Vanilla ice creamfor serving
Instructions
In large skillet over medium heat, add butter and melt.
Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, lemon, and vanilla and cook until apples are tender, about 7-10 minutes.
While apple cook, whisk sugar and all purpose flour in a small bowl until combined.
Add flour and sugar mixture to the apples and stir to fully incorporate the mixture. Continue to cook until the filling is thick, about 3-4 minutes.
Let filling cool completely.
Whisk egg and water together to make an egg wash.
To make the hand pies: place paratha dough on a floured surface. Add about 1/3 - 1/2 cup of the cooled filling in the center of the dough. Brush egg wash around the edges of the dough.
Fold dough over itself to form a pocket. Optional: Trim edges to make a more squared off shape.
Crimp edges using a floured fork. Brush the top all over with egg wash and sprinkle with Demerara sugar. Repeat to form the remaining pies.
Place pies in the freezer while you heat up the oil.
In a large cast iron skillet (or high sided pan), pour in oil to about halfway up the sides of the pan.
Heat oil over medium heat until hot (about 350ºF using a thermometer, you can also add bit of flour to the oil to test if its hot)
Carefully add 2 pies to the oil and cook until golden brown all over. Flip pies if not fully submerged in oil. They should take about 5 minutes to cook. Adjust heat as necessary to maintain oil temperature.
Remove pies from oil to a paper towel lined plate and dust with powdered sugar.