Basic Shortcrust Pastry

I use short crust pastry a lot in my blogs, so instead of typing the instructions again and again, I thought I would create a post so I can link back to it. This quantity will will be ample for a single flan, or two pies. It is the most simplest pastry to make, but tastes delicious, so don't buy shop ready to roll pastry. Instead of butter, try lard or fat, or a mix, play around with it and adapt this to your tastes.

Ingredients for the shortcrust pastry :

• 200g plain flour
• Pinch of salt
• 100g butter - diced
• Cold water

Method for the shortcrust pastry:

• Place flour and salt in a bowl
• Add the butter
• Rub the butter into the flour until it looks like fine breadcrumbs

The flour and butter rubbed in

• Take a tablespoon and start adding the water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing the water into the flour and butter. Repeat adding the water until the dough comes together

The resulting dough after adding the water

• Put the dough in a plastic food bag/cling film and put it in the fridge for at least half an hour

It can be frozen, and used as required....