Best 5 Pastry For Pies And Tarts Recipes

PASTRY FOR PIES AND TARTS

Steps:

• One-Crust Pastry: In medium bowl, mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture forms coarse crumbs the size of small peas. Sprinkle with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary). Gather pastry into a ball. Shape into flattened round on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened round in plastic wrap and refrigerate 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly at room temperature before rolling. Using floured rolling pin, roll pastry on lightly floured surface (or pastry board with floured pastry cloth) into round 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate or 3 inches larger than 10- or 11-inch tart pan. Fold pastry into fourths and place in pie plate or tart pan, or roll pastry loosely around rolling pin and transfer to pie plate or tart pan. Unfold or unroll pastry and ease into plate or pan, pressing firmly against bottom and side and being careful not to stretch pastry, which will cause it to shrink when baked. For pie, trim overhanging edge of pastry 1 inch from rim of pie plate. Fold edge under to form standing rim; flute edges (see Decorative Crust Ideas, page 00). For tart, trim overhanging edge of pastry even with top of tart pan. Fill and bake as directed in pie or tart recipe.
• Two-Crust Pastry: In medium bowl, mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture forms coarse crumbs the size of small peas. Sprinkle with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary). Gather pastry into a ball. Divide pastry in half and shape into 2 rounds on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened rounds in plastic wrap and refrigerate 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly at room temperature before rolling. Using floured rolling pin, roll one round of pastry on lightly floured surface (or pastry board with floured pastry cloth) into round 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths and place in pie plate, or roll pastry loosely around rolling pin and transfer to pie plate. Unfold or unroll pastry and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side and being careful not to stretch pastry, which will cause it to shrink when baked. Spoon desired filling into bottom crust. Trim overhanging edge of bottom crust 1/2 inch from rim of plate. Roll out second pastry round. Fold into fourths and place over filling, or roll loosely around rolling pin and place over filling. Unfold or unroll pastry over filling. Cut slits in pastry so steam can escape. Trim overhanging edge of top pastry 1 inch from rim of plate. Fold edge of top crust under bottom crust, forming a stand-up rim of pastry that is even thickness on edge of pie plate, pressing on rim to seal; flute edges (see Decorative Crust Ideas, page 00). Bake as directed in pie recipe.

NEVER, NEVER FAIL PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in lard until mixture resembles coarse meal.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together water, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and vinegar. Stir into flour mixture and knead dough briefly, just until smooth. Allow to rest 15 minutes before rolling out. Pastry is easier to work with when chilled. Can be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

SWEET TART PASTRY

Steps:

• Sift together the flour, sugar, and salt into a bowl.
• Toss butter through flour mixture to coat pieces. Using fingertips, rub fat into flour, working it until you have created a coarse meal with a few pea-size particles of fat.
• Empty crumbs onto a cool surface. Form mixture into a mound. Make a 4 to 5 inch well in center of the mound. Combine egg and vanilla and pour mixture into the well. Using a fork, draw crumbs into egg mixture, about 1 - 2 tablespoons at a time. When all crumbs are added, toss mixture a few times with a pastry blender to form large clumps, then scrape into a mound.
• Using the heel of your hand, push 2 - 3 tablespoons of the dough at a time, outward in 6 to 8 inch sweeps. This will blend fat and flour and give crust a delicate texture. If your hand becomes sticky, flour it as needed. Repeat process until all dough has been worked. Gather dough into a mound again. Repeat procedure 2 more times.
• After third time, flour your hands. Gently knead the dough 5 or 6 times to make it smooth. Shape into a 5 inch disk. Dust disk lightly with flour, score with side of your hand, cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate for 20 minutes before shaping. DO NOT LET DOUGH BECOME TOO HARD or it will be difficult to roll. If this happens, let pastry soften at room temperature.
• Roll out to 1/8 inch thickness. After dough has been rolled, position rolling pin 4 inches from top of the pastry. Lift dough over top of rolling pin and gently roll dough toward you. Lift pastry up. Make sure you keep a finger pressed against barrel of rolling pin to keep it from slipping. Position pastry, leaving about 1 1/2 inches of dough hanging over edge of pan on side closest to you. Then unroll pastry over an ungreased tart pan, moving pin away from you. Immediately lift overhang into pan to prevent sharp edge of the pan from cutting dough.
• Working a small portion of the dough at a time, mold it into crease of the pan. Trim excess pastry from top edge of pan. Chill pastry in refrigerator or freezer for up to 30 minutes. Tear an 18 inch square of tin foil. Make a buttered circle in center of foil 2 inches larger than size of pan. Place foil buttered side down, centering it into the baking pan. Using your hand, press foil flush against the sides.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Position shelf in lower third of oven. Fill pan with enough dried beans or baking nuggets to just cover surface of pan. DO NOT OVERFILL. Bake pastry shell on a shallow pan with sides. Bake crust 15 to 18 minutes or until sides begin to brown. Remove pan from the oven. Let stand about 30 seconds. Gently remove foil and beans. Reduce oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Continue to bake crust for 3 to 5 minutes or until it is golden. If bottom of pastry shell puffs up, tap it gently with bottom of a fork to expel the air. Do this carefully so the pastry crust doesn't break. When crust is done, cool completely before filling.

TART PASTRY

Steps:

• Blend together flour, sugar, salt, butter and shortening with your fingers or a pastry blender (or pulse on a processor) just until the mixture resembles coarse meal, the mixture should be pea-size.
• Drizzle the ice water starting with 3 tablespoons over the flour mixture; gently stir with a fork (or pulse with a processor) until incorporated.
• Squeeze a small amount in your hands, if it does not hold together add in more ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring or pulsing with a processor until JUST combined.
• Test again, but be careful not to overwork the mixture, as the pastry will be tough.
• Transfer the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 6 portions.
• Using the heel of your hand, smear each portion once or twice in a forward motion.
• Gather dough together with a scraper and press into 1 ball.
• Flatten into a 6-inch disc.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for about 1 hour.
• Roll out dough with a floured rolling pin into a 13-inch round on a lightly floured surface.
• Fit into the 11-inch tart pan.
• trim any excess dough leaving a 1/2-inch overhang.
• Fold the overhang inward and press against the side of the pan to reinforce edge.
• Lightly prick the bottom and sides of the pastry with a fork.
• Chill for 30 minutes.
• Set oven to 375 degrees.
• Line the shell with foil and fill with pie weights or raw rice.
• Bake in the center of the oven until the pastry is golden along the rim (about 20 minutes).
• Remove the shell from the oven, and carefully remove the foil and pie weights, return back to oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until golden all over.

PASTRY FOR PIES AND TARTS

Steps:

• 1. In medium bowl, combine flour and salt mix well. With pastry blender or fork, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle with water 1 tablespoon at a time, while tossing and mixing lightly with fork. Add water until dough is just moist enough to form a ball when lightly pressed together. (Too much water causes dough to become sticky and tough too little water causes edges to crack and pastry to tear easily while rolling.)2. Shape dough into ball. Flatten ball to 1/2-inch thickness, rounding and smoothing edges. On floured surface, roll lightly from center to edge into 11-inch round. Fold pastry in half place in 9-inch pie pan, or 9 or 10-inch tart pan. Unfold gently press in bottom and up sides of pan. Do not stretch.3. If using pie pan, fold edge under to form a standing rim flute edge. If using tart pan, trim pastry edge if necessary.For One-Crust Filled Pie: Fill and bake as directed in recipe.For One-Crust Baked Pie Shell (Unfilled): Prick bottom and sides of pastry generously with fork. Bake at 450°F. for 9 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 30 minutes or until completely cooled. Continue as directed in pie recipe.Nutrition Information Per Serving: Serving Size: 1/8 of Recipe * Calories: 140 * Calories from Fat: 80 * % Daily Value: Total Fat: 9 g 14% * Saturated Fat: 2 g 10% * Cholesterol: 0 mg 0% * Sodium: 135 mg 6% * Total Carbohydrate: 12 g 4% * Dietary Fiber: 0 g 0% * Sugars: 0 g * Protein: 2 g * Vitamin A: 0% * Vitamin C: 0% * Calcium: 0% * Iron: 4% * Dietary Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 1/2 Fat or 1 Carbohydrate, 1 1/2 FatTWO-CRUST PIE 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup shortening 5 to 7 tablespoons ice water1. In medium bowl, combine flour and salt mix well. With pastry blender or fork, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle with water 1 tablespoon at a time, while tossing and mixing lightly with fork. Add water until dough is just moist enough to form a ball when lightly pressed together. (Too much water causes dough to become sticky and tough too little water causes edges to crack and pastry to tear easily while rolling.)2. Shape dough into 2 balls. Flatten 1 ball to 1/2-inch thickness, rounding and smoothing edges. On floured surface, roll lightly from center to edge into 11-inch round. Fold pastry in half place in 9-inch pie pan, or 9 or 10-inch tart pan. Unfold gently press in bottom and up sides of pan. Do not stretch.3. Trim pastry even with pan edge. Roll out remaining pastry set aside. Continue as directed in pie recipe.Nutrition Information Per Serving: Serving Size: 1/8 of Recipe * Calories: 260 * Calories from Fat: 150 * % Daily Value: Total Fat: 17 g 26% * Saturated Fat: 4 g 20% * Cholesterol: 0 mg 0% * Sodium: 270 mg 11% * Total Carbohydrate: 24 g 8% * Dietary Fiber: 1 g 3% * Sugars: 1 g * Protein: 3 g * Vitamin A: 0% * Vitamin C: 0% * Calcium: 0% * Iron: 8% * Dietary Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 3 Fat or 1 1/2 Carbohydrate, 3 FatVariationsCheese Pastry: For one-crust pastry, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar or American cheese to flour. Omit salt. (For two-crust pastry, use 1/2 to 1 cup.)Extra Flaky Pastry: For one-crust pastry, add 1 teaspoon sugar with flour and 1 teaspoon vinegar with water. (For two-crust pastry, use 2 teaspoons sugar and 2 teaspoons vinegar.)Whole Wheat Pastry: For one-crust pastry, substitute up to 1/2 cup whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour. Additional water may be necessary. (For two-crust pastry, use up to 1 cup whole wheat flour.)