Classic Pie Crust Idiot Proof Step By Step Photo Tutorial Food

CLASSIC PIE CRUST, IDIOT PROOF STEP-BY-STEP PHOTO TUTORIAL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F).
• Put the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor; pulse briefly to combine.
• Add the butter and shortening; pulse just until coarse crumbs form, about 30 seconds.
• Add the lemon juice and water.
• Pulse just until moist crumbs form.
• Turn the dough onto a work surface and gently shape it into two equal disks about 4 or 5 inches (10-12 cm) in diameter.
• Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 1 day (can freeze).
• Elaborating on the original recipe I adopted -- Take one of the two disks and roll it out.
• Place into a lightly greased (I use cooking spray) pie dish, I also carefully roll the pastry around the rolling pin and then "unroll" it into the dish, it's less likely to break this way.
• I take an egg and separate the yolk from the white -- and using a pastry brush, I "paint"the pastry base with some of the egg yolk. Don't use it all because you will need some of it to paint the lid of the pie too.
• This will make a seal and help prevent the bottom of the pie from becoming soggy when the wet filling is added. (Please note: in the photo series one of the small dishes contains the egg white -- it's not used in this recipe as we only need the yoke) Then add your pie filling -- mine in the photo demo is meat, yours could be vegetable or fruit etc --.
• Now roll out your second disk of dough and carefully place this on top of your pie.(I dampen the top edge of the base with a very small amount of water to help join the two layers before laying on my pastry "lid") and then I use a fork to push the edges together.
• After trimming the excess pastry from around the edges, I gather up the pastry scraps and roll them out -- cutting some "leaves" to decorate the top.I wet the bottom of these decorations with a tiny amount of water and then place them on top of the pie.
• Then I add a tablespoon of water to the last of the egg yolk and gently "paint" the whole top of the pie. Lastly, use the fork to poke some holes around the pastry to let the steam out. Put into the oven and bake according to the instructions for the recipe you are making.
• In the demonstration photo series I made Australian Meat Pie(recipe #21726) and there is a precooked filling, so *that* recipe called for the first 15 minutes on 220°C (425°F) and then 180°C (350°F) for 25 minutes or until golden brown -- DO be aware that different fillings require different cooking times and temperatures and adjust accordingly. Et Voila ! and so EASY !

LEMON MERINGUE PIE

Steps:

• MAKE THE FILLING.
• In a medium-size saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt.
• Gradually add the cold water, whisking until mixture comes to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low and cook for 1 minute longer, stirring occasionally.
• In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks.
• Stir a small amount of filling into the egg yolks to temper them.
• Then add the yolk mixture to the remaining filling and slowly stir for 1 minute longer.
• DO NOT OVERMIX.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter, lemon rind and juice.
• Sprinkle the ginger snap crumbs over the baked crust.
• Pour in the lemon filling while it is still warm, then make the meringue.
• MAKE THE MERINGUE.
• Position the oven rack to the lower third of the oven.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• In a small bowl, combine the sugars.
• In the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with beaters or whip attachment, beat the egg whites on medium speed until frothy.
• Add the cream of tartar and increase mixer speed to medium-high.
• Beat until the egg whites form firm peaks, but are not dry, then add the sugar mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, taking about 1 minute.
• Add the vanilla.
• Beat the whites until thick and glossy, about 30 seconds longer.
• With a tablespoon, drop mounds of meringue in a ring around the edge of the filling, then fill in the center.
• With the back of a tablespoon, spread the meringue to COMPLETELY cover the filling.
• Swirl the meringue with the back of the tablespoon to form peaks.
• Bake the pie in a 400-degree oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly brown.
• Cool the pie away from drafts.
• A chill may cause the meringue to fall.
• Do not cut the pie until it is completely cool.
• TO PREVENT MERINGUE FROM WEEPING.
• Blend in the sugar slowly.
• Spread the meringue on the filling while the filling is still warm.
• Seal the meringue onto the very edge of the pie.
• Leave no trace of filling uncovered.
• Do not overbake.