Recipe - Never Fail Pastry Mix

PASTRY MIX INGREDIENTS
6 cup Flour
1 tablespoon Salt
1 pound Can of vegetable shortening

TO MAKE 1 PIE CRUST
2 cup Pastry mix
2 tablespoon To 3; ice water

TO MAKE MIX:

Sift flour and salt together into a large bowl

Drop shortening into the mixture by spoonfuls and with a pastry blender or
two knives,cut it into the flour mixture until the mixture is crumbly. Stop
when the mixture still looks coarsedo not let it become smooth. If you
know exactly how the mixture should look you can do this in the food
processor, but be careful not to over process.

Store pastry mix in a tightly sealed container on pantry shelf in medium to
cool weather for 1 to 3 months. If the weather is warm or humid, it is
better to keep this in the refrigerator. Let it warm to room temperature
and recrumble a bit if needed before using.

TO USE:

For a single pie crust you will need:

2 cups Pastry mix 2 to 3 tablespoon ice water

Toss the mix and ice water gently unitl the mixture begins to stick
together.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surfaceformica, marble or a cutting
boardand gently roll out a circle to fit your pie pan. Some people use a
pastry cloth or a square of clean muslin to cover the surface they are
working on, roll the pastry out right on the cloth, and then lift the cloth
and pastry, turn it uside down into the pan, and peel the cloth away.

As you lift the dough into the pan, remember that tears can be repaired
with a bit of water and a small piece of dough, or you could remove the
holey inadequate curst, knead it back together and try again. The more you
knead, however, the tougher the pie crust will become, so practice until
you have a light sure touch.

Cheap Trick:

If you fear that you'll never get the hang of rolling out a pie crust that
doesn't tear apart, you might try placing a ball of dough into a large size
plastic bag and roll the dough while it is still int he bag. When it isthe
right size, cut open the bag, remove the top sheet, flip the dough inot
your pan,and remove the bottom sheet.

Source: Cheaper And Better Alternatives to Storebought Goods by: Nancy
Birnes

Found by Fran McGee

From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini