cook like james

This recipe is from Cook's Illustrated and I had my doubts when I first saw that it used Vodka. It does however produce a wonderfully flaky crust and because the alcohol adds moistness without aiding in gluten formation. I still prefer a traditional pate brisee, but this is still a delicious crust and easy to do.

2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (12 1/2 ounces), plus more for work surface 

1 teaspoon table salt  

2 tablespoons sugar  

12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), cut into 1/4-inch slices 

1/2 cup vegetable shortening , cold, cut into 4 pieces 

1/4 cup vodka , cold (do not substitute – critical to recipe) 

1/4 cup cold water   

1. Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about two 1-second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until homogenous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds; dough will resemble cottage cheese curds and there should be no uncoated flour. Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade. Add remaining cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into medium bowl.

2. Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together. Divide dough into 2 even balls and flatten each into 4-inch disk. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.