Whole Wheat Mediterranean Pie Crust Recipes

BASIC 100% WHOLE WHEAT PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Mix 3/4 cup flour, gluten, and salt together in a bowl. Cut shortening into flour mixture using a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Mix 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon water into the flour mixture using your hands until dough easily forms a ball; add more water if needed.
• Flatten dough into a pancake-like shape on a floured surface; sprinkle top of dough liberally with about 1 tablespoon flour. Roll dough, using a rolling pin, into a thin pie crust about 1-inch larger than your pie pan. Roll the crust onto the rolling pin and transfer to the pie pan.

GLUTEN-FREE WHOLE GRAIN MEDITERRANEAN PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Sift together the grain flour and starch. In a large bowl or in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle or a food processor fitted with the steel blade, add the salt and mix together. If using a bowl, make a well in the center, add the olive oil and mix in with a fork. If using a mixer or food processor, turn on and add the olive oil. When it is evenly distributed through the grain flour and starch, combine the water and vinegar or lemon juice and add it with the machine running. The dough should come together in a ball. In most cases you won't need as much water as is required for wheat flour dough, because the grain flours don't absorb as much, but each combination behaves a little differently. Divide into 2 equal pieces, shape into a flat circle and wrap tightly with plastic. The dough may be sticky, so flour your hands and work surface. Let rest for 1 hour.
• To line tart pans place the dough in the center of the pan and, pressing from the heel of your hand, press the dough out to the edges of the pan, then up the sides. It should be soft and easy to manipulate. Pinch an attractive lip around the edge of the pan and refrigerate uncovered until ready to use.

WHOLE-WHEAT PIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Place butter in the bowl of a standing mixer. Sift together flours and salt and add to mixer. Mix at low speed just until the mixture is well combined. Add water and beat at low speed just until mixture comes together. Do not overmix or you will activate the gluten in the flour too much and your pastry will be tough.
• Using a pastry scraper or a rubber spatula, scrape dough onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Weigh it and divide into 2 equal pieces. Place each piece onto a large sheet of plastic, fold plastic over and flatten into 1/2-inch thick squares. Double wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and preferably overnight.
• Very lightly butter two 9-inch tart pans. (If you can see butter you've used too much.) Roll out dough and line tart pans. Using a fork, pierce rows of holes in the bottom, about an inch apart. This will allow steam to escape and aid in even baking. Refrigerate uncovered for several hours or preferably overnight. (If using only 1 pastry shell, double wrap the other in plastic, then in foil, and freeze.)
• To prebake, heat oven to 325 degrees. Unwrap tart shell and place on a sheet pan or baking sheet. Line the dough with a sheet of parchment. Fill all the way with pie weights (you can also use beans or rice). Place on the middle rack of the oven for 15 minutes. Remove pie weights and parchment and return pastry to oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes more, or until light brown and evenly colored. There should be no evidence of moisture in dough. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

WHOLE WHEAT PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Measure flours, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder into a bowl; stir together. Cut in shortening with 2 knives until a coarse meal forms. Sprinkle water over mixture. Stir with a spoon until a ball begins to form.
• Divide dough into 2 pieces. Roll out into rounds between 2 sheets of waxed paper. Transfer to two 9-inch pie plates.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden, 10 to 12 minutes.

WHOLE WHEAT MEDITERRANEAN PIE CRUST

Steps:

• PREPARATION In a large bowl or in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle or a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the flours and salt and mix together. If using a bowl, make a well in the center, add the olive oil and mix in with a fork. If using a mixer or food processor, turn on and add the olive oil. When it is evenly distributed through the flour combine the water and vinegar or lemon juice and add it to the flour mixture with the machine running. The dough should come together in a ball. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface, flour your hands and work the dough just until smooth and easy to shape into a ball. Do not overwork it or you will develop the gluten in the flour and the dough will be tough. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a ball and press into a 1/2-inch thick circle. Wrap in plastic and let rest for 1 hour. Roll out the dough as needed for savory tarts, dusting your work surface and the top of the dough with flour to prevent it from sticking. Pre-bake and bake as directed in recipes calling for the crust. Tip Advance preparation: The dough can be refrigerated for 3 days or frozen before or after rolling out.