How to Make a Tart Shell

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons very cold vegetable shortening
• 3 tablespoons very cold unsalted butter
• ¼ cup iced water

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
   • Place 1 ¼ cups of flour, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a food processor.
   • Put the mixture in the freezer for 30 minutes.
2. Add Fats:
   • Add 2 tablespoons of very cold vegetable shortening and 3 tablespoons of very cold unsalted butter to the cold flour mixture.
   • Pulse the mixture about 10 times until crumbs are formed.
3. Form the Dough:
   • Add ¼ cup of iced water to the food processor.
   • Process until the dough comes together.
4. Chill the Dough:
   • Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and form it into a disk.
   • Wrap the disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
5. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
6. Roll Out the Dough:
   • Place the chilled dough on a well-floured board.
   • Roll it out with a rolling pin until it’s large enough to fit your tart dish.
7. Fit the Dough into the Tart Dish:
   • Carefully place the rolled-out dough into the tart dish without stretching it, as it will shrink.
   • Use your hands to trim off the excess dough and patch any areas that need more dough, ensuring the entire dish is covered.
8. Blind Bake:
   • Wrap the edges of the tart shell with buttered aluminum foil strips to prevent over-browning.
   • Fill the tart shell with raw beans or rice to weigh it down.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
   • Carefully remove the aluminum foil and beans or rice.
9. Finish Baking:
   • Return the tart shell to the oven and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, until the shell is lightly browned.
   • Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely before filling.

Tart Shell Description:

• Consistency: The tart shell should have a crisp and tender consistency, offering a slight crunch when bitten into.
• Flavor: It has a rich, buttery flavor with a subtle sweetness from the added sugar. The salt enhances the overall taste, making it a perfect base for both sweet and savory fillings.