Pie Crust

by figure8onabight in Cooking > Pie

1588 Views, 12 Favorites, 0 Comments

Pie Crust

SANY8487.JPG

pie is good. one of the few statements in our world that nobody denies. but what really makes or breaks a pie is the crust. forgive me if im wrong (highly doubt that i am though!) but this is one of the best recipes you'll ever find for a pie crust. For a golden, flaky, and tender crust,  here's a great recipe


.


The Recipe

SANY8419.JPG
SANY8420.JPG
SANY8424.JPG
SANY8426.JPG
SANY8430.JPG
SANY8429.JPG
SANY8433.JPG
SANY8428.JPG
1 lb Lard (we love the brand tender flake. but alas, we are only able to get that in canada. so if you ever go up there be sure to get some! its the best pie lard ever!)
4 1/2 Cup Flour
1 1/2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Baking Powder
Large Egg
2 Tbs Vinegar
Ice Cold Water

The Dry Ingredients

SANY8436.JPG
SANY8437.JPG
SANY8441.JPG
SANY8442.JPG
SANY8455.JPG
SANY8456.JPG
Sift flour, salt and baking soda together.  Cut lard in until the consistency is that of small pebbles. DON'T OVER CUT THE INGREDIENTS TOGETHER!! this will make your crust hard and dough like.

The Not-so-dry Ingredients

SANY8459.JPG
SANY8461.JPG
proceed to combine 1 large egg, beaten, with 2 Tbsp. vinegar in a large bowl.  Add enough ice cold water to make a generous cup of liquid. 

Putting It All Together

SANY8469.JPG
SANY8465.JPG
SANY8468.JPG
Using a fork, gradually add this liquid to the lard mixture stirring gently and even working it by hand once it starts to cling together.  Do not over mix and mix gently. you're done with the crust at this point but need some way to store it so keep going.

Storage

SANY8482.JPG
SANY8487.JPG
Form the pastry into four equal size balls and wrap in plastic wrap.  Store these in the fridge until your filling is ready to be consumed.

This dough can be frozen and thawed out in fridge or at room temperature.

How to Use It.

SANY8573.JPG
SANY8575.JPG
SANY8577.JPG
SANY8576.JPG
SANY8634.JPG
when your ready, roll dough out on floured surface.  Line foil or ceramic pie plate with one layer of crust.  Add filling.  Then roll out top layer of crust.  Make sure that you cut some sort of decorative vents in the top crust to allow the steam out when cooking.  Lay top layer of crust over filling.  Press to seal bottom and top crust together.  Then, if your really feeling like a world class chef,  flute the edges (this gives the crust that "wow! now that's a pie!" type of look).