The Famous Crust Recipe

Since it's still summer, and there is still much fruit to be eaten, I present to you my mother's famous pie crust recipe, courtesy of Crisco. Fortunately, there is a non-hydrogenated, non-gmo, non-transfat, organic alternative product: Spectrum Naturals makes it. I'd be really interested to try the coconut oil shortening version. Maybe for a coconut cream pie?

Classic (Crisco) Pie Crust

Ingredients
8, 9, or 10-Inch Single Crust
1-1/3 level cups all-purpose flour
1/2 level teaspoon salt
1/2 stick or 1/2 level cup vegetable shortening
3 tablespoons cold water

Preparation

1. Combine flour and salt in medium bowl.

2. Cut in Crisco using pastry blender (or 2 knives) until all flour is blended in to form pea-size chunks.

3. Sprinkle water, one tablespoon at a time. Toss lightly with fork until dough will form ball.

4. Divide dough in half, if making double crust. Press between hands to form one or two 5 to 6-inch pancakes. Flour dough lightly. Roll into circle between sheets of waxed paper on dampened countertop. Peel off top sheet. (Or, if rolling without waxed paper, fold dough into quarters. Then unfold and press into pie plate.)

5. For single crust, trim one inch larger than inverted pie plate. Flip into pie plate. Remove other sheet and press pastry to fit. Fold edge under. Flute.

6. For double crust, flour each half of dough. Roll into circles between sheets of waxed paper on dampened countertop. Peel off top sheet for bottom crust. Transfer bottom crust to pie plate. Remove other sheet and press pastry to fit. Trim edge even with pie plate.

7. Add desired filling to unbaked pie crust. Remove top sheet from top crust. Lift top crust onto filled pie. Remove other sheet. Trim to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold top edge under bottom crust. Flute. Cut slits in top crust to allow steam to escape. Bake according to specific recipe instructions. For single baked pie shell, heat oven to 425ºF. Thoroughly prick bottom and sides with fork (50 times) to prevent shrinking. Bake at 425ºF for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. If recipe calls for unbaked pie shell, follow baking directions given in that recipe.

8 or 9-Inch Double Crust
2 level cups all-purpose flour
1 level teaspoon salt
3/4 Stick or 3/4 level cup vegetable shortening
5 tablespoons cold water

9-Inch Deep Dish Double Crust or 10-Inch Double Crust
2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable shortening
7 to 8 tablespoons cold water

Last night, I made a plum upside-down cake with the juicy, drippy lot of Santa Rosa plums from the last two veggie boxes. We'll have it for dessert when Monty comes over tonight. I'll post it after I taste it.