Basic Pastry

posted by luvcookin 11-17-98 7:09 PM

Basic Pastry

This pastry stirs together in 5 minutes, chills in freezer, and is ready to roll in 40 minutes.

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
3 to 4 tablespoons cold water

Combine flour and salt in a medium bowl; cut in shortening with a pastry blender until crumbly (mixture should have rregular-size pieces).

Sprinkle cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, evenly over surface, and stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened. (Squeeze dough firmly between your fingers after adding 3 tablespoons water; if it falls apart, add remaining tablespoon water.)

Shape dough into a flattened disk; wrap in plastic wrap, and chill 2 hours or freeze 30 minutes.

Let stand at room temperature 5 minutes. Turn dough out onto
a floured surface, and roll to 1/8-inch thickness.

Place in a 9-inch pie plate. Trim off excess pastry along edges; fold edges under, and crimp.

Prick pastry a few times with a fork if baking. (Do not prick if pastry is going to be filled before baking.)

Freeze or Bake at 450° for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 1 (9-inch) pastry shell.

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