Susan's Recipe

Tart Shell

Category: Recipes

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 sticks cold butter, cut into cubes
5 tablespoons cold lard, cut into cubes
2/3 cup ice water
Combine the flour and salt in a food processor and pulse a few times. Scatter the butter and lard over the top of the flour and pulse until the mixture forms large crumbs. Add the water, a few tablespoons at a time, and pulse until the dough just comes together. Divide into 2 equal pieces, flatten each half into a disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate until chilled through, at least 1 hour.
On a lightly floured work surface, roll 1 of the disks into a 16-inch round. (Reserve the other disk for another purpose. It will keep in the freezer, double wrapped in plastic wrap then single wrapped in foil for up to 4 months.) Fit the dough into a 2-inch deep-dish tart pan with a removable bottom, gently pressing it into the sides. Using a sharp knife, trim the dough evenly with the edge of the pan. Cover with plastic wrap; and chill until firm, about 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Put the tart pan on a baking sheet, line the dough with parchment and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove the weights and paper and continue baking until golden brown, about 10 minutes longer. Let cool slightly (not all the way) on a baking rack.