Perfect Pie Dough, Tips Recipe

There are a few general rules that obtain no matter what kind of crust or
filling you choose; follow these and you and your crust will be golden. (In
fact, these same tips will help you make lovely biscuits and scones too.)

Work in a bowl that’s large enough for you to dig into with both hands.

Always use unsalted butter and make sure it is extremely cold. Cut the
butter into 1/2-inch cubes before adding it to the flour.

Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour.
Work as quickly as you comfortably can and stop when the mixture resembles
coarse crumbs.

When you use solid vegetable shortening, chill it and cut it into chunks
a bit bigger than the butter cubes. Work the shortening into the dough
until The mixture forms moist clumps and curds – when you add the liquid,
you’ll get even larger clumps.

Keep the liquid icy-cold. Add it a spoonful at a time, using a fork to
toss the mixture and incorporate the liquid into the dough. When the dough
has curds and clumps that stick together when pressed lightly between your
fingers, it’s just right. If you have any doubts, keep in mind that it’s
better to add too much liquid than too little; too little, and the crust
will be dry and difficult to roll.

Gently gather the dough into a round and then flatten it into a rough
approximation of the shape you’ll be rolling it into.

Chill it. Even if the dough feels cool to the touch, give it at least 30
minutes, preferably an hour, in the refrigerator. This rest gives the
gluten (the protein that forms webs in flour) a chance to calm down so that
when you start to roll the dough, it won’t spring back.

Roll the dough on a flour-dusted smooth, cool surface – marble is great,
chilled marble is ideal.

Roll the dough from the center out, rolling on one side and making
certain to roll across the entire surface of the dough evenly. Lift the
dough frequently to make sure it doesn’t stick. As you roll, turn the dough
~ an eighth of a turn each time will keep it round.

Transfer the dough to your pie or tart pan either by folding the dough in
quarters, centering it in the pan, and unfolding it, or by rolling it up
around your rolling in and unrolling it over the pan.

Don’t pull or stretch the dough – what you stretch now will shrink back
later. Gently work the dough into the pan, lifting it to get a smooth fit
against the bottom and up the sides. Follow the recipe’s directions for
forming and crimping the edge of the pie or tart.

Chill the crust. Whether you are going to bake the crust blind (that is,
bake it without filling, lined with foil or parchment and filled with pie
weights or beans) or with a filling, give it a rest in the refrigerator.
It’s had a tough workout during the rolling and the gluten needs another
chance to relax.

Per serving: 0 Calories; 0g Fat (0% calories from fat); 0g Protein; 0g
Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 0mg Sodium