I am lazy and used Marie Calendars frozen pie crust - so it comes in a thin tin pan, easy to poke a small hole into. I've tried making my own, but it takes too long and never looks as nice. I add the apples while the shell is still frozen.
I put the apples in a colander to drain - I'll have to try to pat them dry next time. And yes, I'm impatient and cut into the pie before it cools...
I drain it because I worry the pie will go bad (mold, mildew) quickly if its soaking in juice. And the pie still tastes good
