[Sca-cooks] OOP pastry question

[phoenissa at netscape.net]

Nicolas Steenhout <vavroom at bmee.net> wrote:

>
>> >I go with 2 parts flour, 1 part shortening, a pinch of salt.
>>
>>(If I used butter, would the same proportions be ok?)
>
>It would work, though the texture wouldn't be quite the same.  Also,
>working a pure butter dough is much harder, as getting the dough
>temperature right is more difficult.  I rarely make pure butter, or even
>mixed butter doughs for pie.  While it is most excellent, I find the butter
>flavour to be really rather strong for most pies I do.

I think a strongly-flavored dough might be all right for this.  Then again, I'm beginning to wonder whether pate brisee is even the right thing to use; it may come out too crunchy.  Anyway, my plan was to make little two-crusted pies, a few inches across, with a fruit filling.  Well, actually, with a pumpkin filling.  I'm starting with a whole squash and I'd like a filling that is a touch sweet and spicy, but mostly pumpkin-y, if that makes sense :-)  (My problem with pumpkin pies is that nearly all the ones I've had are made from the canned stuff, and on top of that are too sugary and cinnamony, so you can't really taste the pumpkin itself at all.  So I'm trying to invent something new and different.)  Pumpkin is not the most delicate of foodstuffs, so I think it might stand up well to a really rich dough.

>
>>Hmmm...don't know if I'd want to add vinegar, because the dough will have a=
>>  sweet filling.  Sounds like a nice touch, though.
>
>No no no, go for it.  You don't put enough to really taste it, it just
>gives a vague *sweetish* taste to it, if you put too much vinegar.  I use
>that for both sweet and savoury fillings.

OK, then :-)  I'll give it a shot.
thanks!

Vittoria


__________________________________________________________________
Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop at Netscape! http://shopnow.netscape.com/

Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/