Ingredients
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup shortening1/4 cup ice waterFILLING:2 cans (16 ounces each) tart cherries1 cup sugar3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca1/4 teaspoon almond extract1/4 teaspoon saltRed food coloring, optional1 tablespoon butter
Preparation
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.
Drain cherries, reserving 1/4 cup juice. In a large bowl, combine sugar, tapioca, extract, salt, food coloring if desired and reserved juice. Gently stir in the cherries; let stand for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°.
On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 half of dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate. Add filling. Dot with butter.
Roll remaining dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; cut into 1-in.-wide strips. Arrange over filling in a lattice pattern. Trim and seal strips to edge of bottom crust; flute edge. Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly, 55-60 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
