Home-made Pie Crust and Lemon Custard Recipes

A lot of people are afraid to make their own pie crusts. A lot of people will say, "Why bother when you can buy all the different ready made ones in the store?" (I've even used that one!) BUT... if you follow these directions and use COLD ingredients, you'll taste the difference and want to make them when you have the time. For those times when you just do not have time... use the pre-made stuff, but try this one when you have time :-)

Pie Crust

2 1/2 cup all purpose flour

2 sticks *COLD butter, cubed

1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar

Pulse in a food processor until pea size.

Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup **ice cold water.

Pulse until dough forms when mashed together in your hand. Divide into 2 rounds and wrap with plastic wrap. Chill for 1 -2 hours.

* If the butter warms in your hands while cubing, sit it back in the frig until it is nice and cold.
** Fill a pitcher with ice and add water. Let sit until you are ready to make the dough to insure that the water is ice cold.

Lemon Custard

Whisk together in a medium size saucepan:
6 egg yolks
3/4 cups sugar

Add:
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/8 tsp salt

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened.

Add:
zest of 1 1/4 lemons

Stir with a wooden spoon.

Add:
1 stick of butter, cubed

Stir until melted. Cool and cover with plastic so a skin doesn't form. Chill for about 30 minutes.