Pate Brisee

From Microwave entertaining. makes 12 large pieces or 60 small pieces - enough for about 6 pies

• Ready In: 24 mins
• Yields: 12 pieces

Ingredients

• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 6  tablespoons unsalted butter (very cold cut into 12 pieces)
• 3 -4  tablespoons  ice cold water

Directions

1. in large bowl or food processor mix flour and salt.
2. working fast cut butter into flour with a pastry blender, two knives or the food processor until particles are pea sized.
3. add 1 tbsp water at a time, using a tossing motion to mix, until particles can be gathered into a ball.
4. flatten dough into aprox 4 1/2 inch pancake.
5. cover with plastic wrap and chill one hour or up to 3 days (or freeze 30 minutes).
6. roll chilled dough into a 1/4 inch thick 12 in diameter circle.
7. using a cookie cutter (3 inch x 2 inch) cut out 12 large pieces.
8. place shapes in a circle on a piece of double wax paper.
9. prick with fork every 1/2 inch.
10. microwave on high for 3 1/2 - 4 minutes until opaque and dry, but NOT browned; rotate paper halfway through cooking.
11. remove from microwave and cool on cooling rack.