Flaky Pastry Mix

Makes 6 crusts

Ingredients:
6 cups flour
2 cups shortening
1 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 TBS oil
1 TBS vinegar

Directions: Mix buttermilk, oil, and vinegar in a small bowl and set aside. Mix shortening, butter, flour and salt into mixing bowl. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. (process butter in shredder). After shortening is cut evenly into flour mixture, add buttermilk mixture. Toss lightly and add as little as possible to moisten the mixture. (Do not use stirring motion as shortening will melt, causing tough pastry). Add liquid until dough is just moist enough to form a ball when lightly pressed together.

Notes: Shred butter, and use only butter, not shortening. I haven't tried butter only yet, but I watched this made, and I don't see why not. It seems it would be similar to the Martha Stewart pâte brisée but way more butter, and this recipe is VERY flakey.

Source: Carlene Decker

Pâte Brisée

Makes two 8- to 10-inch single-crust pies or one 8- to 10-inch double-crust pie

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut in pieces
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

Directions

1.Place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor, and process for a few seconds to combine. Add the butter, and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 seconds. With the machine running, add the ice water in a slow, steady stream, through the feed tube, just until the dough holds together. Do not process for more than 30 seconds.

2.Turn the dough out onto a work surface. Divide in two. Place each half on a sheet of plastic wrap. Flatten, and form two discs. Wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour before using.

Source: Martha Stewart