Miracle Flaky Lard Pie Crust Food

PERFECTLY FLAKY PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, and sugar until well combined. Using clean hands, add butter and toss until just coated. Rub butter between thumb and forefingers to incorporate into flour mixture until butter is in lima bean-sized pieces and comes together in quarter-sized clumps when squeezed in palm, about 2 minutes. Add shortening, toss until just coated in flour, then rub into flour mixture until mixture forms pea-size pieces (some big chunks should remain) and comes together in fist-sized clumps when squeezed, about 1 minute. Drizzle in half ice water and rake through mixture with fingers until just moistened. Drizzle in remaining water 1 tablespoon at a time and comb through mixture with fingers to moisten. It will go from being a shaggy mess to coming together. Dough is moist enough when it is moistened through but is not wet when pressed. (Do not overwork the dough or it will become tough.)
• While rotating the bowl with 1 hand, push dough between other palm and side of bowl to gather into a ball. Turn dough onto a piece of plastic wrap, press it into a flat disk, then close in wrap. Place in coldest part of refrigerator (usually back bottom shelf) at least 30 minutes before rolling out and forming into a crust.

MIRACLE BAKING POWDER PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder and sugar.
• Place 1/2 cup of flour mixture in a small bowl, and stir in water until smooth.
• Cut shortening into remaining flour mixture until it looks like coarse meal. Blend in the flour-water mixture.
• Wrap dough and chill in refrigerator.

MIRACLE FLAKY LARD PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Place a medium mixing bowl in the freezer to chill.
• Place the flour, salt and baking powder in a reclosable gallon-size freezer bag, and whisk them together.
• Using a melon baller, scoop 1/2-1 inch balls of the lard directly into the flour, shaking the bag occasinally to distribute and cover them with the flour.
• If the room is warm and the lard starts getting very soft, place the bag in the freezer for about 10 minutes before proceeding.
• It is is still firm but squishable once it's all been added, using a rolling pin, roll together the lard and flour until the lard is in thin flakes.
• Place the bag in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
• Empty the flour mixture into the cold bowl, scraping the sides of the bag to release all of it.
• Set the bag aside.
• Sprinkle on the ice water and vinegar, tossing gently with a rubber spatula to incorporate it evenly.
• Spoon the mixture back into the plastic bag (if using caul fat, which is softer, the dough will already hold together, so it's easier to empty it out onto a piece of plastic wrap and knead it lightly from the outside of the wrap).
• Holding both ends of the bag opening with your fingers, knead the mixture by alternately pressing it, from the outside of the bag, with the knuckles and heels of your hands until the mixture holds together in one piece and feels slightly stretchy when pulled.
• Sprinkle the dough on both sides with a little whole wheat flour, wrap it with plastic wrap, flatten into a disc, and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, preferably overnight.
• STORES refrigerated up to 3 days; frozen, up to 3 months.
• NOTE: When rolling the dough, roll it directly on the counter or on plastic wrap.
• Sprinkle both sides of the dough and the counter or plastic wrap amply with whole wheat flour as needed to keep it from sticking.
• (The whole wheat flour will not toughen it and will give it extra crunch and a lovely, wheaty flavor.) POINTERS FOR SUCCESS: Pay particular attention to temperature, keeping the lard well-chilled.
• When mixing the lard flakes/flour mixture with the liquid, stir gently so as to maintain large flakes of lard.

TO PRESERVE GOOSE LARD: GERMAN GANSESCHMALZ

Steps:

• AS SOON AS THE GOOSE IS DRAWN, REMOVE ALL THE FAT FROM THE INSIDE AND AROUND THE GIBLETS AND PUT INTO COLD WATER WITH A LITTLE SALT.
• WHEN THE GOOSE IS HALF ROASTED, LADLE ALMOST ALL THE DRIPPING OFF BEFORE IT BEGINS TO BROWN, AND CONTINUE TO DO SO, ONLY LEAVING ENOUGH IN THE PAN TO BASTE THE BIRD.
• PUT THE FRESH FAT AND THE GOOSE DRIPPING INTO A SAUCEPAN WITH A FEW SLICES OF APPLE AND A PINCH OF SALT.
• SIMMER UNTIL CLEAR, THEN STRAIN THROUGH A FINE SIEVE AND POT INTO SMALL JARS.
• COVER WITH GREASE-PROOF PAPER, THEN WITH COVERS OF STOUT BROWN PAPER AND STORE IN A COOL PLACE.
• Encyclopedia of European Cooking.

MOST TENDER PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a large bowl with a pastry blender or two knives, cut lard into flour and salt until particles are the size of small peas.
• In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup flour, the water and the vinegar, whisk until smooth.
• Pour all at once into lard/flour mixture; stir with a fork just until the ingredients are combined.
• Divide dough in half, wrap each in plastic wrap and chill a minimum of 2 hours, preferably overnight (I tried skipping this once - don't!).
• Roll out and bake as your recipe directs.

BRAN CEREAL PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the bran and flour together in a small mixing bowl.
• Add the margarine and cut in, until the mixture resenbles coarse oatmeal.
• Add the milk and stir until all ingredients are moistened.
• Do not over stir!
• Press the crumbly mixture evenly around the sides and bottom of a 9-inch pie pan.
• Prick the bottom and sides with a fork.
• Bake for 12 minutes or until very lightly browned.
• Bear in mind that this crust will be cooked again when you have filled it, although it does not need to be.
• Cool your crust before filling.

MOM'S LARD PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in lard until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle in water, a tablespoon at a time, until pastry holds together. Shape into a ball; chill for 30 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Transfer to a 10-in. pie plate. Flute edges; fill and bake as pie recipe directs.