Ruthy's Favorite Pie Crust

I talk about pie crust a lot.

I love pie.

I think I've always loved pie and the love affair began as a child when I worked really, really hard to learn how to make pie crust that my dad would like. He wasn't an easy man in any way, and he was a very critical baker before I was born, so I would hear stories of the cool things he'd make with my older sisters.

By the time I was old enough to help in the kitchen, I'd lost my parents to alcoholism and mental illness. You don't realize all of this as a youngster. You glean it later, looking back,  realizing what was going on. As a kid, you just want to make Mom and Dad happy. And you want them proud of you!

Well to say my first Christmas pie crusts (age 12) were a total, unmitigated disaster would be an absolute understatement. To this day I can still remember my father's very negative reaction when he tasted it. Not a "thank you" for staying up all night to make pies because my mom never came out of her room... Not a hand on the head for taking care of my little brothers because there was no one watching out for them. Not a pat on the back for trying to oversee Thanksgiving Dinner for eleven people, except for the turkey and squash.

It's one of those memories that sticks because the whole thing was just so bad. I'm sure a psychologist would have a field day with it. BUT... what it did teach me is that good pie crust really does matter, and that no one's opinion but my own really matters because I'm the one that has to look in the mirror and face the Sweet Lord above. Those were two valuable lessons, my friends!

When I first saw the Country Tearoom Pastry recipe, it was at a "Learn to Speak to an Audience" thing. I'm not sure why I was there, I think to support one of the lovely ladies doing the course. I can promise you that I don't have a problem speaking to or with people, as a rule. :) We extroverts get a kick out of that.

But I was taken with this recipe and I'm giving it to you here today because this pie crust is a never fail. If you have to re-roll it, it still bakes beautifully. If you freeze it, it's still wonderful. And it's the kind of pie crust that balances a fresh chocolate cream pie or a warm apple pie equally, and that's the mark of a good crust! Flaky... softly golden... a hint of salt and sweetness.... and a perfect, non-tough texture.

So here it is as I do it, a family favorite and a recipe I've shared with so many! And huge thanks to the gal who introduced me to it at that speaker's meeting.... I can't remember her name, but I have never forgotten her speech/instructions or this pie crust!



Country Tearoom Pastry (Ruthy's version)

Mix together with fork:

4 cups flour (I use bread flour, and it needs a little extra water, but all purpose works fine)
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt

Cut in with pastry blender or two knives, criss-crossing:

1 3/4 cup Crisco

Mix together in small bowl:

3/4 cup water
1 large egg
1 1/2 Tablespoons vinegar

Pour liquid into flour mixture and stir with fork until mixture cleans the sides of the bowl and forms a large ball. Shape ball with your hands, cut into 4 or 5 wedges (4 wedges makes great 9" deep dish rounds or 10" normal rounds, 5 wedges works for a standard 8" or 9" pie pan)

Flatten wedges. Wrap and freeze any you're not going to use. I tuck the wrapped little rounds into a big freezer bag and that way I  have pie crust on hand all the time. That makes the very thought of making a pie so much easier!

And here's a glimpse of how to make a lattice-top pie:

 Lattice tops look fancy but they're easy! It's like making a potholder or braiding hair... alternate one over the other. I start in the middle and work my way out. So much easier that way.

Next week will be the first time our oldest daughter's family has been up north for Thanksgiving in fifteen years, so we're very excited to have almost everyone here... and we've got a few surprises up our sleeve if the weather is all right and I can coordinate a bunch of kids in a specified area for a few hours of pie-making time. :) Grammys always have something up their sleeve, friends!

Wishing you a wonderful upcoming weekend, and a blessed holiday week. God is good!

Multi-published inspirational author Ruth Logan Herne loves God... her family.... her country.... Pollyanna stories.... Fixer Upper... chocolate.... coffee.... dogs.... and she tolerates cats the way they tolerate her. Find her on Facebook.... Or stop on over at her website, cleverly named ruthloganherne.com :) Or visit with Ruthy and her friends here at the cafe or over on Seekerville.blogspot.com. These gals love to share their stories, their wisdom and their time with you!