Most Tender Pie Crust

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Most Tender Pie Crust

Description

Adapted from Grandma! Lard produces one of the most tender and flakiest crusts out there, but the key (thanks WCA) is to buy a good quality, not over-processed or hydrogenated brand (i.e. Tenderflake) to avoid any “off” aftertaste. Grandma swore by her pie crust for years until Crisco took over the supermarket (sad since lard is actually cheaper and healthier than butter, containing less saturated fat, more monounsaturated fat and has no additives or impurities, like non-organic butter has (i.e. colour, antibiotics and hormones in cow feed) – this is simply her formula updated for the 21st century. Makes 2 9" single crusts

Cooking Time

Preparation Time :2 Hr 30 Min

Cook Time : 0 Min

Total Time : 2 Hr 30 Min

Ingredients

Serves : 24
  • 1 1⁄4 flour


  • 1 whole wheat pastry flour


  • 1⁄2 nutmeg


  • 1⁄4 baking powder


  • 1 sea salt


  • 5 7⁄8 ounces about 3/4 cup lard


  • 1⁄3 cup ice water


  • 1 rice vinegar

Directions

  • In a large bowl with a pastry blender or two knives, cut lard into flour and salt until particles are the size of small peas.
  • In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup flour, the water and the vinegar, whisk until smooth.
  • Pour all at once into lard/flour mixture; stir with a fork just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Divide dough in half, wrap each in plastic wrap and chill a minimum of 2 hours, preferably overnight (I tried skipping this once - don't!).
  • Roll out and bake as your recipe directs.