FRIED APPLE or PEACH PIES

Ingredients

• 8 ounces dried apples or dried peaches
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 can jumbo refrigerated flaky biscuits
• 1 tsp. cinnamon or apple pie spice
• vegetable oil, for frying

Directions

1. Combine apples and water in saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for half-hour or until tender. Remove from heat and let cool, mashing slightly if pieces are large. Stir in sugar and butter; set mixture aside.
2. If using fresh apples: For the filling: Add 2 TBS butter to a large saute pan and melt. Add 4 peeled, cored and chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, and 1 tsp lemon juice and cook over medium heat until the apples are soft, about quarter-hour. Remove from the heat, mash slightly and cool.)
3. Roll each biscuit into a 5-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Place about 1 tablespoon apple mixture on half of each biscuit circle. To seal pies, dip fingers in water and moisten edges of circles. Fold in half, making sure edges are even. Using a fork dipped in flour, press edges firmly together to seal.
4. Pour oil to a depth of 1/2 inch into a heavy skillet, or use deep fryer. 
5. Fry pies in hot oil (370°) over medium-high heat until golden, turning once. Don’t rush it because you want to make sure the biscuit is cooked completely through.
6. Drain well on paper towels.
7. Makes 10 pies.