Vodka Pie Crust

Uses a trick learned from Cooks' Illustrated. Alcohol doesn't activate gluten formation the way that water does, so the use of booze in place of some water results in a moist, workable dough that doesn't get tough.

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Yields: 2 crusts

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon table salt
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 12  tablespoons  cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1⁄2 cup  cold vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces
• 1⁄4 cup  cold vodka
• 1⁄4 cup cold water

Directions

1. Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about 2 one-second pulses.
2. Add butter and shortening and process until homogeneous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds (dough will resemble cottage cheese curds and there should be no uncoated flour).
3. Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade.
4. Add remaining 1 cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses.
5. Empty mixture into medium bowl.
6. Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture.
7. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together.
8. Divide dough into two even balls and flatten each into 4-inch disk.
9. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.