Classic Pie Crust Idiot Proof Step By Step Photo Tutorial Recipes

CLASSIC PIE CRUST, IDIOT PROOF STEP-BY-STEP PHOTO TUTORIAL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F).
• Put the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor; pulse briefly to combine.
• Add the butter and shortening; pulse just until coarse crumbs form, about 30 seconds.
• Add the lemon juice and water.
• Pulse just until moist crumbs form.
• Turn the dough onto a work surface and gently shape it into two equal disks about 4 or 5 inches (10-12 cm) in diameter.
• Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 1 day (can freeze).
• Elaborating on the original recipe I adopted -- Take one of the two disks and roll it out.
• Place into a lightly greased (I use cooking spray) pie dish, I also carefully roll the pastry around the rolling pin and then "unroll" it into the dish, it's less likely to break this way.
• I take an egg and separate the yolk from the white -- and using a pastry brush, I "paint"the pastry base with some of the egg yolk. Don't use it all because you will need some of it to paint the lid of the pie too.
• This will make a seal and help prevent the bottom of the pie from becoming soggy when the wet filling is added. (Please note: in the photo series one of the small dishes contains the egg white -- it's not used in this recipe as we only need the yoke) Then add your pie filling -- mine in the photo demo is meat, yours could be vegetable or fruit etc --.
• Now roll out your second disk of dough and carefully place this on top of your pie.(I dampen the top edge of the base with a very small amount of water to help join the two layers before laying on my pastry "lid") and then I use a fork to push the edges together.
• After trimming the excess pastry from around the edges, I gather up the pastry scraps and roll them out -- cutting some "leaves" to decorate the top.I wet the bottom of these decorations with a tiny amount of water and then place them on top of the pie.
• Then I add a tablespoon of water to the last of the egg yolk and gently "paint" the whole top of the pie. Lastly, use the fork to poke some holes around the pastry to let the steam out. Put into the oven and bake according to the instructions for the recipe you are making.
• In the demonstration photo series I made Australian Meat Pie(recipe #21726) and there is a precooked filling, so *that* recipe called for the first 15 minutes on 220°C (425°F) and then 180°C (350°F) for 25 minutes or until golden brown -- DO be aware that different fillings require different cooking times and temperatures and adjust accordingly. Et Voila ! and so EASY !

LUCIE'S 7-UP PIE CRUST (IDIOT PROOF PASTRY RECIPE)

Steps:

• Cut lard into flour until it is the consistency of coarse oatmeal.
• Add 7-up and mix thoroughly.
• Place in fridge for approximately one hour.

TANGERINE MERINGUE PIE

Steps:

• MAKE THE FILLING: In a medium-size saucepan, combine 1/4 cup sugar with the cornstarch.
• Gradually add the tangerine juice and water, whisking until smooth.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low and cook for 1 minute longer, stirring occasionally.
• In a medium-size bowl, lightly beat the eggs with a whisk.
• Gradually whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup sugar.
• Stir a small amount of the filling into the egg mixture to temper them.
• Then add the yolk mixture to the saucepan, blending the mixtures together.
• Be sure to reach into the crease of the pan.
• Slowly cook the filling until it is thick, about 1 minute longer.
• Whisk briefly to smooth the filling, but DO NOT OVERMIX.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the tangerine zest and vanilla extract.
• Pour the filling into the baked pie shell.
• MAKE THE MERINGUE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Position the oven rack to the lower third of the oven.
• In a small bowl, combine the sugars.
• Set aside.
• In the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with beaters or whip attachment, beat the egg whites on medium speed until frothy.
• Add the cream of tartar and increase the mixer speed to medium-high.
• Beat until the egg whites form firm peaks, but are not dry.
• Whip in the sugar mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, taking about 1 minute.
• Beat the whites until thick and glossy, about 30 seconds longer.
• With a tablespoon, drop mounds of meringue in a ring around the edge of the filling, then fill in the center.
• With the back of a tablespoon, spread the meringue until it COMPLETELY covers the filling.
• Swirl the meringue with the back of the tablespoon to form peaks.
• To prevent weeping, be sure the meringue is sealed to the very edge of the pie, and that all the filling is covered.
• Bake the pie for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Cool the pie away from drafts.
• Do not cut the pie until it is almost cool.