BASIC BUTTER CRUST (PATE BRISÉE)

BASIC BUTTER CRUST (PATE BRISÉE) image

Number Of Ingredients 4

Ingredients

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar (optional)
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold
2-3 Tbsp ice water

Steps:

1. Place the over rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 425º F. Combine the flour, salt, and sugar (if desired), in the food processor bowl fitted with the steel blade. Pulse to mix. Cut the cold butter into 6 pieces and place them around the top of the flour mixture. Pulse 10 times to create a mixture that resembles a course meal. 2. With the processor running, drizzle the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms a loose ball that leaves the sides of the bowl and beings to ride the blade, no more than 20 seconds. 3. Dust your hands lightly with flour, then remove the ball of dough from the processor and squeeze into a tight ball, then flatten into a disk. 4. To roll, place the dough disk either between sheets of flour-dusted waxed paper or a lightly floured board. Using light, sure strokes, roll the disk into a 1/8-inch-thick, 12-inch circle that will fit into the 9-inch pie pan or 10-inch tart pan. 5. Drape the piecrust over the rolling pin to lift it, then move it over the pie or tart pan and loosely place in in the pan. Try not to stretch the dough. Turn the extra edge under or, using a sharp knife, cut off the excess crust around the top edge. Crimp or flute the edges for pie. For a tart, simply roll the rolling pin across the top to cut off excess pastry. 6. For a pre-baked crust, prick the bottom and sides of the pastry with a fork, then bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until beginning to brown. If you want the crust for a custard pie, bak it only 5 minutes, then fill it and continue baking as directed in your recipe.