Pastry

Making pastry from scratch can be a little tricky, but it's worth the effort for the delicious results! Here's a basic recipe for making pastry:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• 6-8 tbsp ice water

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt until well combined.

2. Add the butter to the bowl and use a pastry cutter or your hands to cut it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough starts to come together. Be careful not to overmix or the pastry will be tough.

4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it a few times until it comes together in a smooth ball.

5. Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before using.

6. When you're ready to use the pastry, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to the desired thickness and shape.

7. Use the pastry to line a pie dish or cut it into shapes for a tart or other pastry-based dish.

Tips:

• Keep the butter and water as cold as possible to help the pastry stay flaky.
• Don't overwork the pastry or it will become tough and dry.
• If the dough is too dry, add a little more ice water. If it's too wet, add a little more flour.