2 c Unbleached all-purpose flour 3/8 ts Salt 1/8 ts Sugar 5 tb Cold salted butter 6 1/2 tb Cold unsalted butter 3 tb Vegetable shortening 3 tb Ice water; plus 1 ts Ice water
This is a good basic pie crust recipe from Lindsey Shere at Chez Panisse.
It is flaky and has a good butter flavor.
MIX THE FLOUR, SALT AND SUGAR in a bowl. Cut the salted butter in pieces
1/3-inch thick and quickly cut them into the flour mixture until it is the
texture of cornmeal. You can do this with a pastry blender, with your hands
by rubbing quickly and lightly between your fingers, or in an electric
mixer or food processor. Cut in the unsalted butter and the vegetable
shortening until they are in larger pieces, about 1/8- to 1/4-inch in
diameter. This helps to make the dough flaky. Sprinkle in the 3 tablespoons
ice water, tossing the dough lightly with a fork to moisten it evenly. Use
another teaspoon of water if necessary to make the dough hold together.
Stir the dough with the fork until it has come together in small lumps and
there is no dry flour left. Divide the dough in half and press it into two
balls. Be careful not to knead it–just squeeze it together. Kneading
activates the gluten, which makes the dough tough. However, if the dough is
crumbly, knead it together very briefly. Wrap tightly in plastic and chill
for at least 4 hours. During this time, the enzymes in the flour will
mellow the gluten to permit the water to be absorbed completely; this
conditioning will help to prevent shrinkage and toughness later. Makes
enough for two 9-inch pie shells.
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