Raw Spiced Apple and Date Pie

Lee Watson

This pie is completely raw and brilliantly healthy. It is also easy! No ovens or pastry-making required. It has all the glorious flavours of traditional apple pie, just in a different, more wholesome wrapping.

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Ingredients

For the crust:
200g macadamia or cashew nuts
150g pecans or walnuts
50g dates
a large pinch of sea salt
For the filling:
150g dried apples, roughly chopped
480ml apple juice
375g apples (about 3 or 4)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
8 big fat dates (medjool are ace), soaked until soft
½ teaspoon cinnamon
a large pinch of nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon maple syrup
a small pinch of sea salt
For the topping:
90g pecans or walnuts, finely chopped
4 big fat dates, finely chopped
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
a large pinch of ground cinnamon

Preparation

Makes 8 – 10 big slices.

Method

Soak the dried apples in the apple juice for an hour.

To make the crust, pulse all the ingredients in a blender until a rough crumble is formed. You will need to scrape down the sides with a spatula at least a couple of times. The crust is ready when it is sticky between your fingers – the fats will slowly be released as you blend the nuts. Gently press the crust down with your fingers into a shallow pie dish or plate roughly 23cm in diameter, with a loose bottom or springform action. Press down around the edge with a spoon to make it look neat and tidy, then pop into the fridge for 1 hour to firm up.

To make the filling, drain the dried apples, which should now be soft and plump. Core and chop the fresh apples, leaving the peel on, and toss them in the lemon juice to stop them going brown. Put half the fresh apples into a blender with the dates, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, maple syrup and salt, and pulse until well combined. Pour in a little of the apple juice from the dried apples if the filling is too thick. Add the rest of the fresh apples and dried apples, then spoon on to the pie crust and smooth out.

To make the topping, mix together the pecans, dates and vanilla in a bowl and spread over the top of the pie to form a nice crust. Sprinkle with the cinnamon.