Recipe - Texan Fried Pies

12 ounce Dried Apricots
One half cup Sugar
1 tablespoon Lemon juice
One half teaspoon Cinnamon
One half teaspoon Nutmeg
3 cup Allpurpose flour
1 teaspoon Salt
Three fourths cup Shortening
One fourth cup Water
Egg, beaten
1 teaspoon Vinegar

Place apricots with enough water to cover in medium saucepan. Bring to a
boil, recude heat and simmer for 30 mins. Drain and mash. Stir in sugar,
lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
Make pastry while apricots are cooking. Combine flour and salt in large
mixing bowl; cut in shortening with pastry blender until mixture resembles
course meal. Combine egg and water; sprinkle over flour mixture. Add
vinegar and lightly stir with a fork until mixture forms a ball. Wrap
pastry in wax paper; chill at least 1 hr, or until ready to use.
Roll dough to 1/8" thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut into
circles (46"). Place 1 or 2 TB apricot mixture in center of each pastry
circle. Moisten edges of pastry, fold in half, making sure edges are even.
Press edges of pastry together using a fork dipped in flour. Heat 1" of oil
to 375F in a large skillet. Cook pies until golden brown on both sides,
turning once. Drain well on paper towels. Sprinkle with powdered sugar,
granulated sugar or sugar/cinnamon mixture.
Other fruits may be substituted. Prepare them as you would for a pie.

From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini