What better way to make the most of the abundant summer fruit than a pie? Pies are scientifically proven to make you more popular (at least at picnics, potlucks, and breakfast time). You can make it super easy by buying a pie crust, or if youāve got an itch to be in the kitchen, make your own.
If youāve never made a pie crust before, donāt be afraid. Hereās a secret about pie crust making that no one ever tells youāeven if itās not perfect, itās still pie! Really, you canāt go too far wrong.
Pie crust is made with four basic ingredients: flour, fat, liquid, and salt. Weāll give you a basic recipe, but donāt be afraid to varyĀ the basic ingredients once youāre feeling comfortable.
PIE BASICS
Keep things cold! Chill your fat and liquid before you begin, and try to be expedient so things stay chilly.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup shortening
1 tsp. salt
½ cup water
- Stir your flour and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in the fat with a pastry cutter, a food processor, or your hands. Youāre aiming for things to be mixed well but not completely homogenous.
- Add your chilled liquid a spoonful at a time. Mix it in with a fork (donāt overmix!). Once youāve got something that vaguely resembles dough, press it together gently.
- Split the dough in half. Wrap each half, and put it in the refrigerator. It needs to chill again for at least half an hour (up to overnight), so go do something else while youāre waiting.
- Roll the dough out on a floured counter, being efficient so that you donāt overwork the dough. Use according to your recipe.