Dr. Fechter's Cherry Pie Phenomenon

I was a Green Belt instructor and facilitator assigned to Six Sigma projects where I worked. I was fortunate (and I mean that sincerely) to have received my certification from a wonderful gentleman who was one of the original instructors for Motorola, generally regarded as one of the founding members of the quality improvement process known as 6S. One of my dearest friends went on to become a certified Black Belt in Six Sigma. I'm not so much jealous of Jim, as I was and continue to be more in awe of his talents and accomplishments. Jim, I wish you and your lovely wife Cliffreda didn't live so far away in Knoxville, Tennessee but then it is beautiful up there...

Jim and Cliffreda surprised us at our home while hosting a few friends for the past Super Bowl. As he was leaving, Jim asked if I still had Dr. Fechter's Cherry Pie recipe. I knew I did, I just didn't know where and promised to email it to him later. Aly found it (of course she would, I'm a man after all and we can't find anything) and we sent it north to Tennessee. All of this to give you a little background on how I came to have a copy of Dr. Fechter's Cherry Pie Phenomenon recipe.

Dr. Fechter spent a great deal of time on the road training folks such as Jim and myself. As you might imagine, Dr. Fechter could only spend so much time stuck inside a motel/hotel each evening and weekend for what might be months before going crazy. So, Dr. Fechter perfected a Cherry Pie recipe that he would enter in local fairs and community events to break the boredom. Of course, he would need a place to "prepare and bake" his pie for competition. Once it became known by his students that a home would be appreciated, there was no shortage of those willing to accommodate the dear Dr. And it provided a chance to get to know one another better and provide a semblance of family life for one far from home. Dr. Fechter was a clever man indeed and an excellent baker. He also was a man who shared and...

Without further delay I present for your baking pleasure and culinary delight:

Dr. Fechter’s Award Winning

CHERRY PIE PHENOMENON

NEVER FAIL FLAKY PIE CRUST: (Makes Two Pie Crusts)

3 Cups Flour

1 ½ Cup Shortening

1 ½ Teaspoon Salt

Blend the above together with pastry cutter

Add A Blend Of:

1 Tablespoon Vinegar

1 Beaten Egg

1/3 Cup cold Water

Mix the above with fork

Roll dough between two sheets of floured wax paper (*dampened counter surface helps to hold the wax paper to the counter top)

FRESH FRUIT PIES:

Can use apples, pitted tart cherries, peaches, apricots, blackberries, etc…

Mix together until smooth:

1 Cup Sugar With 3 Tablespoons Of flour

Next:

Stir In 3 ½ Cups Of Prepared Fruit

Spoon Mixture Into Unbaked 9’ Pie Shell (Pre-baking the pie crust for 7-10 minutes is an option to avoid a soft pie crust bottom resulting from an exceptionally juicy fruit filling)

Use Fork To Stab Holes In Top Of Pie Crust For Steam Release

Bake The Pie In A Hot Oven At 450 Degrees For 10 Minutes. Reduce The Temperature To 350 Degrees And Bake An Additional 25 To 35 Minutes

CAUTION: Keep eye on crust for last 10 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool and ENJOY!

The secret to this award winning pie is the CRUST. It is flaky and delicious. The KEY ingredient is the VINEGAR. Whatever you do, DO NOT leave out the vinegar.

peace
fm