When making a two-crust pie, I brush a little water around the edge of my bottom crust before putting on the top crust. This creates a good seal once the two are crimped together—I never have any filling bubbling out between the crusts, ruining my pie’s appearance. —Vistola E., West Point, Virginia
These mint chicken pockets are one of my favorite appetizers because they can be made ahead of time and frozen. So they're a perfect snack when unexpected company drops in.
I tapped into my French heritage for this recipe by incorporating Calvados, an apple brandy from the Normandy region of France. The sweet filling is balanced out by a buttery crust making for an indulgent treat.—Nicole Jackson, Beverly, Massachusetts
Our active family is full of big eaters. So I’m happy for our raspberry patch, our apple orchard and pie recipes like this one. You can substitute frozen berries for fresh.—Heidi Jo Keranen, Bruno, MN