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- From: eastman@solstice.jpl.nasa.gov (Sherri Eastman)
- Newsgroups: rec.food.recipes
- Subject: Best ever basic pie crust
- Date: 23 Jun 1994 14:59:29 -0400
- Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA
- Message-ID: <199406132131.OAA26750@solstice.jpl.nasa.gov>
-
- Best Ever Basic Piecrust Recipe
-
- Note: if optional vinegar and egg are added, and they should be, reduce or
- eliminate cold water.
-
- For one two-crust 8 or 9 inch pie.
-
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup lard or shortening, chilled. (or 1/2 cup (4 ounces) lard or
- shortening, and 4 Tablespoons butter, chilled.
- 1/2 cup ice water, approximately
-
- Optional
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- 1 egg.
-
- If blend of butter and lard or shortening is to be used, allow both to come
- to room temperature before mixing them together. The mixture must be
- chilled before it is cut into the flour however. (note: I didn't do this
- I used them both chilled right from the beginning, piecrust turned out
- great SE)
-
- If the optional vinegar and egg are used, reduce water by half.
-
- The volume of one large egg is about 1/4 cup, if you half the recipe for
- one crust you can use 2 Tablespoons of the egg.
-
- Into medium bowl measure flour and salt. Drop the fat by pieces into the
- flour. With two knives cut the fat into the flour until the mixture
- resembles coarse meal, with irregular particles ranging in size from tiny
- grains of rice to small peas.
-
- Add sugar, vinegar and egg, if desired. Pour each ingredient into the
- flour mixture and stir to blend before adding the next. (I cut everything
- in and toss with the knives to blend)
-
- Sprinkle in the water a Tablespoon at a time and stir with a fork held
- lightly. Gently toss the loose particles around the bowl to absorb
- moisture. Add water as needed to bring the particles together in a moist
- (not wet) mass that holds together with no dry or crumbly places apparent.
-
- Wrap the ball of dough in plastic wrap or foil and place in the
- refrigerator to mature and chill 4 hours or longer. THIS STEP IS IMPORTANT
- FOR BEST RESULTS.
-
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator about 1/2 hour before rolling or it
- will be difficult to work. (I leave it out close to 45 minutes on normal
- days).
-
- Prepare and roll as you would for any pie crust. This is an outstanding
- pie crust, tender and flakey and rich.
-
-
-