| pure greed | ::sweet pastry shell::

sweet pastry  shell                                                            

ingredients: 

method:

200g plain flour

To make the pastry, place the flour and salt into the bowl of a processor fitted with a steel blade and whizz for a minute to sift. Cut the butter into small pieces. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. With the machine running, drop the egg yolk and water through the feed tube. Stop the machine when the mixture comes together in a ball. Press the dough into a thick, flat disk, wrap in cling-wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. On a lightly floured board, roll out the dough into a circle about 30 cm in diameter and 3-4mm thick. Line a greased 24cm flan tin with removable base with the dough and crimp the edges in line with the rim of the flan tin. Prick the base with a fork. Cover with cling wrap and rest in the fridge for 30 mins.  Line the pastry shell with baking paper and fill with raw rice or pastry weights. Bake in pre-heated 200C oven for 15 minutes, Remove the weights and paper. Brush the interior of the shell with the beaten egg and bake for a further 10-15 minutes or until golden.  

pinch salt

160g cold unsalted butter

1 egg yolk (60g egg), lightly beaten

1-2 tbsp cold water

1 egg, beaten, for glazing