Pastry Dough Madam Benoits No Fail Lemon Tang Pastry Food

PASTRY DOUGH (MADAM BENOIT'S NO FAIL LEMON TANG PASTRY)

Steps:

• A LARGE MIXING BOWL: 5 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon soda Use a whisk to mix.
• Cut in one pound of lard.
• Mix to resemble coarse crumbs.
• IN A ONE CUP MEASURING CUP: Add 1 whole egg 3 tablespoons lemon juice Mix with a fork and add enough water to fill the one cup measuring cup.
• Add the cup of liquid to the dry ingredients and mix until dough forms into a ball.
• (at this point I form into balls using approximate amount for the size pie plate I'm using and place into a plastic bag until ready to roll.) NOTE: Rolling the dough between two sheets of wax paper makes for a nice even sheet of pastry.
• This will make 3-4 double pies-- depending on what size pie pans you are using.

NO-FAIL PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar and salt with a fork.
• Cut in the shortening with a fork until crumbly.
• In a small bowl, beat together the water, vinegar and egg; add to the flour mixture.
• Stir until all ingredients are moistened.
• Divide dough into 5 portions and, with hands, shape each into a flat round patty ready for rolling.
• Wrap each patty in plastic or waxed paper and chill at least 1/2 hour.
• When you are ready to use the pie crust, lightly flour both sides of the patty and roll out on a lightly floured board or pastry cloth.
• Keeping the pastry round, roll, from the center, to a 1/8-inch thickness into a circle 2 inches larger than the top of the pie pan.
• Fold in halves or quarters, transfer to the pie pan, unfold and fit in loosely.
• Press with fingers to remove air pockets.
• Fill the crust.
• Place the other crust on top; flute edges with a fork and place decorative slits in top of crust to allow steam to escape.
• Bake as directed in the pie recipe you are following.
• Bake pie on the LOWEST rack in oven to prevent bottom crust becoming soggy.
• FOR A PRE-BAKED UNFILLED PIE SHELL:.
• Prick the bottom and sides of a pastry lined pie pan with a fork.
• Bake on the CENTER rack in a preheated 450 degree Fahrenheit oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown (a metal pan will take longer than glass).
• Cool on a wire rack (the shell will shrink and edges pull away from pan).
• Fill as desired.

EASY, NO FAIL PASTRY CRUST

Steps:

• Measure the flour, salt, and sugar into a food processor.
• Add a few 1 Tbsp butter piece at a time, and pulse until coarsely chopped.
• Repeat until all butter has been incorporated. Don't pulse too much in between.
• Add a couple of tablespoons of water and pulse. Repeat until the dough is just forming little balls, and falls from the sides.
• Place half the mixture on a sheet of plastic wrap and squish the particles together until you form nice disc. Wrap the disc in the plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• KEY: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before rolling out.
• Repeat with remaining dough.
• This recipe freezes well, so if you only need one 9in pie crust, you can save the other for next time. Just allow time for it to defrost naturally. Don't put in microwave.

MOST INCREDIBLE NO FAIL PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Cut together flour, shortening and salt until it resembles small peas.
• Combine the egg, water and vinegar and gradually add to flour mixture.
• Stir just until moistened and a soft dough forms.
• Divide into 2 disks.
• Wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Roll out and use with your favorite pie recipe!