FLAKY BUTTER CRUST

Steps:

• Dissolve the salt in the water and refrigerate.
• Place the butter cubes and flour in the food processor (or mixer) bowl. Chill the bowl, ingredients and blade (or mixer paddle) in the freezer until well chilled, at least 30 minutes.
• Cut the butter into the flour using the pulse (or mixer paddle on slow speed) until the mixture resembles flakes of oatmeal.
• With the machine running, slowly pour in the cold salted water, mix just until the dough forms a ball.
• Divide the dough into three equal portions and shape each into a disk about 6 inches in diameter.
• Refrigerate disks for at least 30 minutes.
• Roll out each disk into 11 inch circles, place in a 9 inch pie pan and return the pan to the refrigerator until ready to bake or fill.
• Note: If baking the crusts without filling, place a piece of parchment over the crust and fill with rice, or dry beans, spreading them around the bottom to cover and weigh down the crust. Make sure the crusts are cold when they go into the preheated oven at 375°F Bake until the edges are lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Remove the rice or beans and the parchment, prick each crust several times with a fork, and return the crust to the oven to bake an additional 5 - 10 minutes. Remove and cool before filling.