Basic Pie Dough

 

2 c. flour

1 t. salt

2/3 c. shortening

2 T. butter

 

Cut half of the shortening/butter into the flour mixture with a pastry blender, or work it in lightly with the tips of your fingers until it has the grain of cornmeal.  Cut the remaining half of shortening/butter into the dough until it is pea size.  Sprinkle dough with:

4 T. water

Blend lightly into the dough.  You may lift the ingredients with a fork, allowing the moisture to spread.  If needed to hold the ingredients together, add:

1 t.-1 T. water

When you gather the dough up into a tidy ball, stop handling it.  To fill and bake, see individual recipes.