Don’t be intimidated by pastry! It is very easy to make and much more delicious than the store brands. You can make it ahead of time and keep balls on hand in freezer. The below recipe makes five nine-inch pie crusts. The trick to flaky pastry is to keep all ingredients as cold as possible, and don’t handle it too much:
- 5 cups flour ($1.00) - 1 lb Crisco ($2.79) - 1 tsp salt - 1 tbsp (preferably brown) sugar - 1 egg ($.12) - 1 tbsp vinegar - Cold waterCrack egg in a one cup measure and whisk with a fork. Add 1 tbsp vinegar and enough water to make 1 cup. Place in freezer to cool.
Blend salt and sugar with flour in a big bowl. Using a pastry cutter (or a fork), “cut” (or mash!) one pound of Crisco into the flour until crumbly. Pour liquid into a well in the centre of the flour/Crisco mixture and stir until dough just comes together. Flour your hands and roll into five balls. Wrap in cellophane to freeze, or put a ball in the fridge to chill before use.
