What is Pasta Brise?
Pasta brise, also known as shortcrust pastry, is a classic French dough that is commonly used to make tarts, quiches, pies, and other pastry-based dishes. It consists of just a few key ingredients: flour, butter, salt, and water. The goal is to achieve a crumbly and tender texture that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3-4 tablespoons ice-cold water
Instructions
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix well.
2. Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Gradually add ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing with a fork until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, gently bring the dough together into a ball. If it feels dry or crumbly, add a little more water, but be cautious not to add too much.
5. Flatten the dough into a disk shape and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the dough to rest and firm up. This step is crucial for a flaky and tender crust.
6. After chilling, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to slightly soften.
7. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a circle, approximately 12 inches in diameter, or to the desired size for your recipe.
8. Gently transfer the rolled-out dough to a tart or pie pan, pressing it gently into the edges and trimming any excess dough.
9. You are now ready to fill your pastry with your desired ingredients and bake according to your recipe.
Tips for Success
- Keep all the ingredients and utensils cold throughout the process. This helps maintain the flakiness of the dough.
- Handle the dough gently. Overworking the dough can lead to a tough texture.
- Allow the dough to rest in the refrigerator before rolling it out. This step helps relax the gluten and prevents shrinking during baking.
- Prevent a soggy bottom crust by blind baking the pastry before adding a wet or juicy filling.
- Experiment with different flavor variations by adding herbs, spices, or even grated cheese to the dough.
With these step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, you have all the knowledge you need to master the art of pasta brise. Enjoy creating a variety of delicious sweet and savory dishes with this versatile pastry dough!