DESSERT RECIPE: Shortcrust Pastry

3-cups all-purpose flour
1-tsp salt
3/4-cup salted butter, cubed
1/4-cup shortening cut into pieces, or hard margarine
1/3-cup cold water
1-tbsp white vinegar, or lemon juice

Sift together the flour and salt in a large bowl
Cut in butter and shortening until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs
In a separate bowl, combine water and vinegar (or lemon juice)
Add enough liquid to gather pastry into a ball
Knead together for one minute
Divide dough into 2 equal parts

Alternatively, use a food processor:
Add flour, salt, butter, and shortening into the food processor
Pulse together
Add liquid, pulse a few more times to incorporate the liquid
Do not let the pastry form into a ball in the processor
Remove; knead together by hand
Roll out as needed or wrap in plastic wrap and chill

Makes enough pastry for one 9-inch or 10-inch two crust pie

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