i love baking at home.
home as in where my family is. where i grew up. the first kitchens i ever created in.
i love that the pastry cutter i use in my mother's kitchen is the same pastry cutter she uses. the same that her grandmother used.
i don't even mind the green flecks of (likely lead) paint that make their way into the pastry.
pie dough
(from cook's illustrated)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon table salt
2 tablespoons sugar
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces
1/4 cup cold vodka
1/4 cup cold water
mix vodka and water (or just vodka with ice as i do) and set aside.
in a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and sugar. cut in butter pieces. then cut in veg shortening. add vodka/water mix until dough starts to come together.
divide into two. wrap in plastic. refrigerate for at least two hours.
