Fabulous Pie Crust for Beginners!

For some reason, making PIES seemed like a daunting task to me.
It wasn't until we moved away from family, that I felt determined to conquer the pie making fear!

And heaven forbid buying a pie...or premade pie crusts!  :)

Turns out, it's very simple...
And comes with some very rich rewards!

Here's the standard Pie crust recipe I use.

2 cups of flour
3/4 cup of shortening
1/2 cup cold water
1 teaspoon of salt

(you can make 2 pie shells or 1 covered pie with this recipe)

Cut ingredients together with pastry blender or fork.
Do not over handle or mix in a mixer.
Do not blend more than necessary...just enough to incorporate the ingredients.

Split dough in half...
Roll out on lightly floured surface until about 1/4 inch thick.

Instead of trying to lift that sheet of dough into the pie plate...

Carefully lift crust and fold over on itself!
Fold it over again!

Then lift the folded crust into your pie pan,
and gently unfold!  :)

Press holes together and gently press into pan,
Trim overhanging dough with a knife.

Make a pretty scallop edge by holding 2 fingers on the crust
and using your pointer finger gently pull the crust
between your fingers in toward the center.
Until it is all perfect and ruffled!  :)

Poke holes on the bottom with a fork.

At this point you can either fill the pie and bake it...or
bake just the crust!

To bake an unfilled pie crust
bake at 350* for 30 minutes.
Comes out light and crisp!

Great for cream and pudding pies!
Or fill the unbaked crust with pie filling and then bake...
Our favorite is Pumpkin!
Pie crust is perfect for savory pies as well!

You did it!
Time to congratulate yourself with a big helping of pie!
And vote for me in the Pie for Pi contest!  :)

Now you can get fancy with weaving lattice and wonderful
designs to go on top of a filled gooseberry pie!

Until then, check out my blog for more fun recipes, crafts and projects!  :)