Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare your favorite 2 crust pastry and line a 9 inch pie plate with bottom crust. 3/4 c. sugar 2 tbsp. flour 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/8 tsp. nutmeg 1/4 tsp. salt

Combine sugar, flour and spices and toss lightly with the apples. Mound in the center of the pie. Dot apples with 2 tbsp. butter. Cover with top crust. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is golden.

Serve with ice cream or Cheddar cheese, if desired.

Recommended varieties: Golden Delicious (reduce sugar to 1/2 cup), Jonathan, or Jonalicious.

Tip: First-of-the-season rhubarb will perk up a last-of-the-season apple pie.