two pie crust doughs
2 and 1/2 cups flour. i like the cool white whole wheat, but it does not make the best pastry. try all purpose.
1 and 1/2 sticks cold butter and
1/4 cup shortening i like the fancy brand spectrum
dash of salt
i like a spoon of sugar too, but it might make the crust too crisp and sticky for you...
about 6 or 7 tablespoons cold water. i put ice into a bowl of water and scoop the tablespoons out of that,
i do this by hand in a big bowl, put the flour, cut the butter and shortening (or just use 1 and 3/4 cup butter) into bits, add to four, add salt and sugar, and use a pastry cutter or two butter knives, cut the butter into the flour. if this makes no sense, google it.
once it looks well mixed, add about 5 tablespoons water, use a fork to stir it up, and using a clean hand, squeeze the dough to see if it comes together. if not, add 2 more spoons of water, stir, squeeze. you need to divide the dough into two, and using your hands, squeeze it into a thick disk. you may need to lightly kneed it together, it is ok to do this! i thump it on the counter to shape it, then wrap in plastic and chill for an hour or so before you roll it out.
