Alices Pie Crust Recipes

PERFECT PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Dice the butter and return it to the refrigerator while you prepare the flour mixture. Place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and shortening. Pulse 8 to 12 times, until the butter is the size of peas. With the machine running, pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse the machine until the dough begins to form a ball. Dump out on a floured board and roll into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Cut the dough in half. Roll each piece on a well-floured board into a circle, rolling from the center to the edge, turning and flouring the dough to make sure it doesn't stick to the board. Fold the dough in half, place in a pie pan, and unfold to fit the pan. Repeat with the top crust.

ALICE'S PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Put the egg and vinegar in a 1 c measuring cup fill to top with water.
• Mix all dry ingredients and make a well in the center.
• Pour liquids into well and mix with pastry fork just till flour is blended.
• Store in ziplock in fridge till ready to use.
• This also freezes well.

FLAKY PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Mix flour, salt and sugar.
• Using a processor, a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the salted butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Add unsalted butter and shortening and cut them in until the lumps are the size of peas.
• If you have been using a processor, transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Sprinkle on the ice water a little at a time and toss with a fork until the mixture comes together in lumps and holds together when pressed. If necessary, add more ice water, sparingly. Avoid kneading the dough.
• Gather the dough into two balls, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least four hours.

PIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Have ready in a measuring cup: 6 tablespoons ice-cold water
• Mix together: 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt A pinch of sugar
• Add: 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes 3 tablespoons chilled lard
• Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, quickly work the butter and lard into the flour mixture until most of the fat has been broken into small pieces but there are still a few large flakes. Don't try to make the mixture look uniform.
• Dribble in the tablespoons of ice water, mixing and tossing the dough with a fork. Don't try to force the dough into a ball, just keep adding water until it starts to cling together in clumps. After all the water has been added, check for dry dough mixture in the bowl and add drops of water to moisten.
• Collect the dough and press it together into two balls. Shape the balls into plump cakes, making the edges as smooth as possible, and wrap in plastic. Press down on the plastic lightly to compress the dough. Refrigerate the dough for several hours before using to allow the gluten to relax and the flour to fully absorb the water. Dough may be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days or in the freezer for 1 or 2 months. Thaw frozen dough overnight in the refrigerator before using.

MY FRIEND ALICE'S TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• Roll out your pie crust and place on a sheet pan. Spread mustard over crust, add swiss cheese and add thick slices of tomatoes and sprinkle with pepper and kosher salt if you like).
• Bake at 425* for about 35 - 45 minutes. You want the crust cooked through and the tomatoes should be starting to color up. All the cheese should be melty.