Fresh Blueberry Pie with a Vodka Crust

[layers_of_eli]

My sweet boyfriend bought me America's Test Kitchen (the latest season and cookbook) for Valentine's Day! After watching their "best blueberry pie" episode, I had to give it a go

Comments

[a_boleyn]

When I first tried making pie crusts they were always tough as the amount of water I was supposed to sprinkle on was never enough to get it to hold together. By the time I finished kneading, adding more water, kneading some more, it was a mess. A friend gave me a recipe using sour cream, egg and shortening which has never failed me.

[layers_of_eli]

Innnteresting! I love my lard/butter crust with about 6 tablespoons of water. It's just so much less fragile than this dough!

I'd love your recipe if you share it.

[a_boleyn]

Happy to share.

Pie Crust (enough for top and bottom or 2 bottoms)

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
water as needed

Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender.

In a 2 cup measuring cup beat together the egg and sour cream and add enough cold water to make a total of 3/4 cup liquid. Stir the liquid into the dough using a fork. If a hand full of dough holds together when squeezed, the dough is wet enough, otherwise, fork in an additional tablespoon and try again. Repeat if needed.

Wrap in saran wrap and refrigerate until needed or roll to 1/4" thickness.

For an empty shell, bake 12-15 min in a 400 F oven. For a filled shell, bake 15 min at 400 F, then reduce temperature to 350 F and bake an additional 25-30 min.

[layers_of_eli]

Thanks! I'm intrigued...

[a_boleyn]

If you do end up using the recipe, let me know how my friend Ann's pie crust works for you. :)