Best Scratch Hot Water Pastry Recipes

HOT WATER PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Add the shortening and butter to a very large bowl. Add the hot water and milk.
• Now, using a fork, whip the mixture together. This will take about 5-7 minutes. Work the fat and water together until it forms a smooth and fluffy mixture that looks like whipped cream. This will seem, at first, like it will never work, but keep at it. If you just don't feel you can do this, you can whip the mixture together in a food processor. When the mixture is smooth and fluffy, transfer it to a bowl and add the flour and salt.
• When the mixture is smooth and fluffy, add the flour and salt. Again, using the fork, work the mixtures together until a dough forms.
• Gather up the dough and form into two balls. Put the balls into plastic bags and chill for 3 to 6 hours.
• Now place one of the balls between two sheets of waxed or parchment paper and flatten it.
• Now get your rolling pin and flatten the dough, starting from the center. Gradually work the dough until it is about 1/4" thick. It should be a 12" circle.
• Carefully peel away the top layer of waxed or parchment paper. Do this by holding one side of the paper and peel lit away, holding the paper close to the pastry.
• Holding the paper, flip the dough into a pie or tart tin. Carefully peel the paper away, again holding the paper close to the pastry. If it rips or tears, don't worry; you can patch it together.
• Ease the pastry into the pan. That means don't stretch it, or it will spring back and shrink in the oven.
• If you're making a one crust pie, then fold the edges into the sides on top of the pastry that's already there to form a rim about 1/2" high. Press the dough on the sides together. Flute the edges by holding your thumbs and pointer fingers together on both hands, pinching the dough as you move around the pan. Keep the other half of the dough in the fridge or freeze it until you're ready to make another pie.
• If you're making a two crust pie, don't flute the edge. Roll out the other ball of dough just like you did the first, using fresh pieces of waxed or parchment paper. Fill the pie, then pull off the top piece of paper. Put the top crust on the filling, peel off the paper, then fold the edges of the dough together. Flute the dough.
• That's it! Follow the recipe for baking instructions. And pat yourself on the back. You've made pie crust!

HOT WATER PIE CRUST I

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine shortening, salt, milk and boiling water. Whip with fork until smooth and creamy.
• Add 2 cups flour and stir with round-the-bowl strokes until all flour is incorporated.
• Makes crust for one double crust pie.

MEAT PIE WITH HOT WATER CRUST

Steps:

• Heat lard in a large microwave-safe bowl until melted, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in boiling water.
• Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in lard mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a smooth, slightly sticky ball of dough forms.
• Dust a flat work surface with flour and knead dough for 2 minutes. Roll out 3/4 of the dough into a 1/3-inch thick circle. Press over the bottom and all the way up the sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Roll out remaining dough into a 1/3-inch thick circle for the top of the pie.
• Freeze pie crust base and top until firm, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine ground sausage, ground pork, pork tenderloin, onion, parsley, pepper, thyme, mixed herbs, and curry powder in a large bowl. Mix into a paste.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Line the bottom and sides of the pastry crust with streaky bacon. Press in 1/2 of the pork mixture. Cover with 3 to 4 slices of streaky bacon. Press in remaining pork mixture; arrange remaining streaky bacon on top. Brush pastry rim with milk and add the top crust. Pinch the edges together to seal. Brush the top with milk and cut 2 slits in the top of the pie.
• Bake pie in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), about 1 hour more.
• Cool pie completely before removing from the pan.

MEAT PIE WITH HOT-WATER CRUST

Steps:

• Ground Meat: In a large bowl, combine fatback, chicken livers, chicken thighs, and pork shoulder. Pass through medium blade of a meat grinder into another large bowl.
• Filling: In a small skillet, heat oil over medium-low; add shallots and cook until well caramelized. Let cool completely, then add to ground-meat mixture. Add fatback, chicken livers, chicken thighs, and pork shoulder; mix to combine. Add brandy, sage, thyme, spices, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; mix to combine. Fold in pistachios. Refrigerate, covered, while you make crust.
• Hot-Water Crust: Preheat oven to 375 degrees with rack in center. In a large bowl, whisk together flours and salt. In a small saucepan, bring butter, lard, and 1/2 cup water to a boil, then remove from heat, pour over flour mixture, and mix with a wooden spoon until a ball of shaggy dough forms. On a lightly floured surface, knead until smooth, about 3 minutes. Divide dough in half; set one half aside. Cut remaining half into two equal pieces; wrap separately in plastic to prevent drying out. Working quickly (dough is best to work with while warm), roll out reserved dough half between two sheets of parchment to a 1/4-inch thickness. Using the base of a 10-inch springform pan as a guide, cut a round from dough; fit into bottom of pan, pressing into place and patching dough as needed. Remove plastic from one of the dough pieces. Cut dough into 4-inch wide strips; press up sides of pan to cover completely, rerolling dough and patching as needed (dough should come up sides of pan to reach top edge). Firmly press dough into place to ensure there are no holes. Reserve any remaining dough scraps. Brush dough with a thin layer of egg wash to prevent any leaks.
• Add filling to crust, smoothing surface with an offset spatula. Remove plastic from remaining piece of dough; on a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 1/4-inch-thick round. Place round over filling; press edges to seal with dough on sides of pan. Create a vent by inserting the handle of a wooden spoon into center and making a hole. Make a second hole near edge of pie. On a lightly floured surface, reroll reserved dough scraps to a 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch leaf cutter, cut out leaves and score with the back of a paring knife. Brush bottoms of leaves with egg wash; adhere to top crust in a decorative pattern (be careful not to cover vents). Using a 3-inch flower cutter, cut out a flower and make a hole in the center. Place flower over vent in center of pie, making sure holes align. Transfer pie to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake until crust is golden and a thermometer inserted into vent reads 160 degrees, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Carefully remove from oven and gently remove sides of pan. Brush top and sides of crust with egg wash, then continue baking until deeply golden, about 15 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely, at least 2 hours.
• Aspic: Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons water; let stand until softened, about 5 minutes. Add to 1/2 cup heated chicken stock; let stand until gelatin has dissolved. Insert a funnel into vent along edge of the pie; slowly add stock mixture, a little at a time, so it does not overflow. Refrigerate pie overnight; bring to room temperature before serving.

HOT WATER CRUST PASTRY

Steps:

• Place the butter and water in a medium-sized saucepan, and heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts, then bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
• Meanwhile, sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Make a well in the middle of the flour, and add the egg. Pour the hot liquid into the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to mix.
• Spread the mixture out on a large plate with the wooden spoon and cool, about 15 minutes. Then wrap in plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until firm. Use according to the recipe you are making.
• This is a simple pastry often used for meat pies. .

SCRATCH HOT WATER PASTRY

Steps:

• Cream shortening with a fork into the 1/4 cup of boiling water.
• Mix and sift the flour, salt, and baking powder.
• Add the mixture to the shortening slowly.
• Blend well.
• Form into a ball and refrigerate until ready to use. .
• Yield = 1 pastry shell.

SUPER QUICK HOT WATER PASTRY

Steps:

• Place flour in mixing bowl, make a well in the center.
• Put oil and hot water in cup or jug and pour onto flour.
• Mix well until all flour is incorporated. The dough should be quite pliable.
• Allow to cool a little until you can comfortably handle it, but make sure to use while warm.
• Roll out on floured surface and use immediately.
• For Vegetarian omit animal fat or Lard.
• For Vegan omit Animal Fat, Lard or melted butter and use only oil.

HOMEMADE DUMPLING WRAPPERS

Steps:

• Place the flour in a large bowl and set the bowl on a damp kitchen towel so it won't slip. Add the hot water in a steady stream while stirring with chopsticks or a fork. Stir until all the flour is hydrated and the mixture becomes shaggy. Let stand until cool enough to handle, 2 to 5 minutes.
• Use your hands to gather and knead the shaggy mass into a ball in the bowl. Turn out onto a work surface and knead until slightly elastic, 5 to 10 minutes. The dough should be tacky but not sticky, and it won't look completely smooth. If it sticks to the surface, flour the work surface lightly and continue kneading. Knead into a ball and cover loosely with a clean damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let stand for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
• Divide the dough in half. Roll one piece to a 1/16-inch thickness. You shouldn't need to flour the surface while rolling, but do so if the dough is sticking. Once the dough is thin enough, lift it off the surface, flour the surface lightly, and place the dough back down. Cut out 3 1/2-inch rounds as close together as possible, then gather the scraps and cover the rounds with the damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Repeat with the remaining dough and knead those scraps with the first batch of scraps, then let rest for 5 minutes before rerolling and cutting. (See Note for a more traditional way to roll the wrappers.) Use the wrappers immediately for dumplings, such as chile crisp dumplings.