Pie Crust

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup cold water
3/4 cup solid vegetable shortening

• Stir the flour and salt together in a bowl. Remove 1/3 cup of the flour mixture and mix with the cold water to make a paste. Set this aside. With a pastry cutter or fork, cut the vegetable shortening into the remaining flour mixture until the texture become “pebbly.” Add the paste to the flour-shortening mixture and mix until it can be shaped into a ball. Divide into two parts.
• Lightly flour your rolling surface (a clean countertop or large wooden board) and your rolling pin. Roll one portion of the pie dough at a time. Roll from the center out, lifting the roller at the end of the dough (rather than rolling back and forth). Roll to a 1/8-inch thickness.
• Have an 8- or 9-inch pie pan ready. The rolled dough circle should be at least 2 inches larger than your pie pan. Loosen the pastry from the rolling surface, fold it in half, lift it and lay it in the center of the pie pan. Unfold the pastry, gently working it into the pie pan, and press lightly. Trim off the excess dough with a knife. You can make a design around the edge of the pan using your fingers or a fork.