Day 271 Baked Pastry Shell

Baked Pastry Shell

2 1/4 Cups All Purpose Flour
3/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Cup Shortening, well chilled
2 Tablespoons Earth Balance
6 Tablespoons Cold Water

In the mixer

1.  Place flour and salt in the mixer bowl of a stand mixer.  Using  a flat beater, stir for 15 seconds.  Cut shortening and Earth Balance into small pieces and add to the bowl.  Turn to stir speed and mix until shortening pieces are the size of small peas.

2.  Continuing on stir speed, add the water one tablespoon at a time.  Mix until all particles are moistened and dough begins to hold together.

Ready to chill

3.  Turn dough out on a flat surface.  Combine dough into a large ball.  Cut into 2 pieces. Pat each half into a small ball and flatten slightly.  Wrap in plastic wrap.  Chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Ready to bake

4. Roll one half of dough on a floured surface  Roll into a circle for a 8 -9 inch pie plate.  Each the dough onto the pie plate  Prick sides and bottom with fork. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until slightly browned.  Cool completely before filling.

Makes a crust for a Garden Quiche (Day 270)

Soundtrack Peter Murphy - Wild Birds Live Tour

Day 130 Cream Cheese Pastry

Cream Cheese Pastry

1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
3 Tablespoons Earth Balance, cut into small pieces
5 Tablespoons Vegan Cream Cheese

Almond based cream cheese

1. Combine the flour and salt in a bowl.  Work in the butter using a pastry blender, then your fingers.  The flour should resemble cornmeal.  Add the cream cheese and incorporate it into the flour with your fingers until the dough comes together and form into a ball.

Incorporating butter into the flour

2.  Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and press into a disk.  Refrigerate at least 15 minutes before using.  Roll into a crust when ready to use.

Ready to chill

Goes with Artichoke and Fennel Stew.

Soundtrack - Center Stage Music from the Motion Picture

Day 100 Pie Pastry

Pie Pastry

I have amazed myself by completing 100 days of recipes.

1 2/3 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 Tablespoons Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
5 Tablespoons Earth Balance, cold and cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1/4 Cup Very Cold Water

1.  Place flour, sugar and salt in a food processor; pulse to mix.  Add the Earth Balance.  Pulse until mix looks like cornmeal.

2.  Add the water, a little at a time while the machine is running.  The pastry should look like damp, clumpy sand.  You may not need all of the water.  The pastry should hold together easily when pressed between your fingers.

3.  Transfer the dough to a work surface and gather it into a ball. Place the dough on a piece of plastic wrap and flatten to a disk.  Wrap in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.

4.  The pastry should be ready to roll.  Fits a 9 inch deep dish pie pan or a 11 inch tart pan.


Goes well with Shades of Autumn Pie

Soundtrack P.O.D.- Boom