Most pie crust recipes call for shortening. In avoiding trans fats and impure oils (stick to olive or canola oil) I went on a quest for a shortening-less crust. Lard would make a great crust, but I didn’t happen to have any sitting around. To quote Recipe Zaar: “shortening is virtually flavorless, and is used to make baked goods light and flaky”. When an ingredient is packed full of fat, why would you want it to be flavorless? If I’m going to ingest all those calories I want my body to know it and to savor every second of it! That’s why this butter crust is delicious- buttery as well as light and flaky! I used it for my Dad’s lemon meringue pie. It was a cinch to throw together, although I have to give my mom credit for the impressive edge work. I’m still a pie novice.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup cold butter, diced
3-4 Tbsp. ice water
DIRECTIONS
1. Mix flour and salt in food processor (or by hand with a whisk). Add butter and pulse until coarse mill forms (or cut in butter by hand with a pastry blender until only pea-size crumbs remain). Gradually blend in enough ice water until dough clumps (or mix in a Tbsp. at a time by hand). Form dough into a large ball. Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill 2 hours or overnight.
2. Roll dough out to fit a 9 inch pie plate. Place crust in pie plate. Press the dough evenly into the bottom and sides of the pie plate.
3. If necessary, (first prick the bottom of the crust with a fork) bake in 450 F preheated oven for about 10 minutes (until it starts to turn golden brown).
Makes 1 9-inch pie crust.
(Adapted from All Recipes)
Pingback: Tomato and Fresh Corn Quiche - Quick Cooking Recipes
I was wondering why it is necessary to chill the crust prior to rolling it out and baking?
This is more because I’m curious but a little of my impatience.
Thank you!
Cassi
So with pie crust you want to make sure the butter and rest of the crust stay as cold as possible because when it goes into the oven and the high heat hits the cold butter crust it will puff and get flaky. If the butter is warm and practically melted it won’t have the same effect. I found one article online that said “the key to great pie crust is to make sure that your fat doesn’t melt too much” and other that explained why: “Flaky crusts result when bits of un-melted fat are layered between layers of flour and melt away with baking.” Anyway- I understand your impatience. Last time I made a pie crust I was short on time and just stuck it in the freezer (wrapped in saran wrap) for about 30 minutes before rolling it out and it turned out beautifully! Good luck!
Pingback: Caramelized Onion Quiche | A Hint of HoneyA Hint of Honey
Pingback: Spinach, Green Onion, and Smoked Gouda Quiche | A Hint of HoneyA Hint of Honey
Pingback: Tomato and Fresh Corn Quiche | A Hint of HoneyA Hint of Honey
Pingback: Fresh Pumpkin Pie | A Hint of HoneyA Hint of Honey