As posted in abbreviated form on 12.15 at Lil's.

The Crust: ingredients

All measurements are American (apologies...if someone can get me the conversions, l'll fix it up in proper Metric.)

1 1/3 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter

2 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening (think Crisco)

iced water

The Crust: process

Stir together flour, sugar and salt in large bowl. Cut butter and shortening into small chunks and add to mixture, cutting or rubbing into flour until mixture resembles coarse meal. This can also be done in a food processor, using alternating on/off turns.

Pour 3 tablespoons of ice water over the mixture, and stir/process until moistened and clumps begin to form. Add more water (by the teaspoonful) as necessary, if dough seems too dry.

Compress dough into a ball; smooth cracks and flatten into a disc. Wrap in plastic and chill for half an hour.

The Filling: ingredients

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup whipping cream

3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups dried apricots (about eight ounces)

1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

1 cup dried cranberries

The Filling: process

Chop apricots into fourths. Whisk together brown sugar, eggs and vanilla to blend; slowly whisk in cream, melted butter, cinnamon and salt. Fold into mixture the walnuts, apricots and cranberries; stir til coated.

Pie ln Toto: assembly

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out crust on lightly floured surface until smoothed into a twelve-inch round. Drape over a nine-inch glass pie plate and flatten into shape. Tuck edges under rim of plate, crimp with a fork, and trim away any excess dough.

Pour fruit/nut mixture into prepared crust, and place on a cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for one hour, or until filling seems set.

NOTE: the pie will turn rather brown. This is normal. lt will be just fine in the end, even if some bits get quite well-done. lf you are concerned, however, you may try tenting pie with foil if it browns too quickly.

Enjoy, kids!