Flaky Food Processor Pie Crust
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
5 tablespoons shortening
1/2 teaspoon salt
ice water
1. Measure the flour into the processor with the regular
blade attached. Add the unsalted butter, cut into cubes,
and shortening, cut into cubes. (Your fat should be
frozen or very cold. You may vary the proportions, or
use some lard, but the total should be 9 tablespoons.)
Add salt. Pulse three times with three counts per pulse
to lightly mix the ingredients.
2. With the motor running, pour ice water into the workbowl
just until the dough just starts to get noticeably crumbly.
Don't wait until it is a big clump or it will be way too wet
and will turn out tough.
3. Stop the machine, dump the crumbly dough into a bowl,
and gather the dough into a ball with your hand. you can
squeeze it a bit to make it stick together. If it just won't
form a ball, add a tiny bit more water. (Note that if you
are making crust in the food processor, you will use less
water than most recipes call for.)
4. Wrap your dough ball in wax paper or plastic wrap and
chill it about 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Roll it out on
a cool surface if you can. Then follow your pie recipe for
baking.