Wholemeal Pie Pastry Food

THE BEST WHOLE WHEAT PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, pulse flour and salt. And cubed butter.
• Pulse a few times until pea-sized pieces form.
• Slowly add 1 tbsp of water at a time, stopping when you fill up your spoon with water.
• Pulse and continue to add water until a ball has just formed with the dough.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cut the ball of dough in half.
• Roll out dough on top of plastic wrap, one ball at a time, to form the crust. Turn out dough into your pie pan and shape the edges by pushing your thumb of one hand into the thumb and pointer finger of your other hand on opposite edges of the dough and work all the way around.
• Continue with your pie recipe as instructed.
• You'll get a top and a bottom crust. You can freeze one if your recipe only calls for a bottom crust.

WHOLEMEAL PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• Sift flour and salt into bowl, add husks left in sifter.
• Add wheatgerm, lightly mix it into flour.
• Rub in butter till mix resembles course breadcrumbs.
• Add water, mix to a firm dough.
• Knead lightly on a floured and divide in half.
• Roll out one half to fit 23cm pie plate.
• Spoon filling of choice into pastry cas.
• Roll out remaining pastry to cover pie dish.
• Trim and pinch edges together.
• Brush top lightly with water.
• Make a small slit in top of pastrt.
• Bake pie in moderate oven till pastry is golden, 35 - 45 mins.

WHOLE WHEAT MEDITERRANEAN PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a large bowl or in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle or a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the flours and salt and mix together. If using a bowl, make a well in the center, add the olive oil and mix in with a fork. If using a mixer or food processor, turn on and add the olive oil. When it is evenly distributed through the flour combine the water and vinegar or lemon juice and add it to the flour mixture with the machine running. The dough should come together in a ball.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface, flour your hands and work the dough just until smooth and easy to shape into a ball. Do not overwork it or you will develop the gluten in the flour and the dough will be tough. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a ball and press into a 1/2-inch thick circle. Wrap in plastic and let rest for 1 hour.
• Roll out the dough as needed for savory tarts, dusting your work surface and the top of the dough with flour to prevent it from sticking. Pre-bake and bake as directed in recipes calling for the crust.

BASIC SHORTCRUST PASTRY

Steps:

• Sift 225g plain flour into a large bowl, add 100g diced butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Stir in a pinch of salt, then add 2-3 tbsp water and mix to a firm dough.
• Knead the dough briefly and gently on a floured surface.
• Wrap in cling film and chill while preparing the filling.

WHOLEMEAL SPINACH & POTATO PIES

Steps:

• First make the pastry. Rub the flours together with the butter and suet until the texture of breadcrumbs, then work in the milk until a pastry comes together. Knead the pastry on a work surface until soft. Press the pastry into a flat round shape, then chill for 1 hr while you make the filling.
• Boil the potato for 10 mins until cooked, then drain well. To wilt the spinach, tip into a colander, pour over boiling water from a kettle, then squeeze out all the liquid. In a bowl, mix the spinach with the potatoes, cream, egg and two-thirds of the cheese. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, then set aside. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6.
• Roll the pastry out on a floured surface to the thickness of a £1 coin. Cut out 8 squares approx 13 x 13cm. Spoon the mix between the centre of each square, then brush the edges with the beaten egg. Bring all 4 corners together over the filling, pinching the edges together to make a sealed purse.
• Transfer to a baking tray. Brush each pie generously with egg, then top with a large pinch of grated cheese. Bake for 30 mins until golden and the cheese has melted, then leave to cool slightly. These are delicious warm but perfectly acceptable cold, too.

WHOLE-WHEAT PIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Place butter in the bowl of a standing mixer. Sift together flours and salt and add to mixer. Mix at low speed just until the mixture is well combined. Add water and beat at low speed just until mixture comes together. Do not overmix or you will activate the gluten in the flour too much and your pastry will be tough.
• Using a pastry scraper or a rubber spatula, scrape dough onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Weigh it and divide into 2 equal pieces. Place each piece onto a large sheet of plastic, fold plastic over and flatten into 1/2-inch thick squares. Double wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and preferably overnight.
• Very lightly butter two 9-inch tart pans. (If you can see butter you've used too much.) Roll out dough and line tart pans. Using a fork, pierce rows of holes in the bottom, about an inch apart. This will allow steam to escape and aid in even baking. Refrigerate uncovered for several hours or preferably overnight. (If using only 1 pastry shell, double wrap the other in plastic, then in foil, and freeze.)
• To prebake, heat oven to 325 degrees. Unwrap tart shell and place on a sheet pan or baking sheet. Line the dough with a sheet of parchment. Fill all the way with pie weights (you can also use beans or rice). Place on the middle rack of the oven for 15 minutes. Remove pie weights and parchment and return pastry to oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes more, or until light brown and evenly colored. There should be no evidence of moisture in dough. Remove from oven and allow to cool.