Easy Recipes With Shortcrust Pastry

Ingredients

Shortcrust pastry is a classic ingredient in many dishes, from pies to tarts. It is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can easily be adapted to any flavour or filling. To make shortcrust pastry, you will need: 225g/8oz plain flour, 115g/4oz chilled butter, plus extra for greasing, 2-3 tablespoons of cold water, salt, and sugar (optional).

Instructions

To make the pastry, mix the flour, butter, and salt together in a bowl, rubbing the butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the water a tablespoon at a time and mix together until the dough comes together. If the dough is too dry, add a little more water. Once the dough has formed, wrap it in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

When you are ready to use the pastry, lightly grease the baking tray or dish with butter. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface, until it is about 5mm thick. Carefully line the dish or tray with the pastry, pressing down gently to make sure it fits into the edges. Trim off any excess pastry and prick the base with a fork.

For sweet recipes, you can sprinkle some caster sugar over the pastry before baking. This will give the pastry a slightly sweet and crunchy flavour. For savoury recipes, you can brush the pastry with beaten egg or milk before baking to give a golden, glossy finish.

Filling Ideas

Shortcrust pastry is perfect for sweet and savoury recipes. For sweet recipes, you can fill the pastry with fruit such as apples, pears, or berries, or with a sweet custard or chocolate filling. For savoury recipes, you can fill the pastry with a variety of ingredients, such as cheese, vegetables, or meat.

Shortcrust pastry is also perfect for making individual pies or tarts. For individual pies, you can fill the pastry with a mixture of vegetables, cheese, and herbs, or with a creamy chicken filling. For individual tarts, you can fill the pastry with a sweet or savoury filling, such as a lemon curd or a cheesy quiche.

Baking

Once the pastry is filled, bake it in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown. If the pastry is over-browning, cover it with foil for the remainder of the baking time. Allow the pastry to cool before serving.

Nutrition

Shortcrust pastry is a high-fat food, with around 45g of fat per 100g of pastry. It is also high in carbohydrates, with around 70g per 100g of pastry. It is a good source of fibre, with around 5g per 100g of pastry. It also contains some protein, with around 8g per 100g of pastry.

As with all high-fat foods, it is important to eat shortcrust pastry in moderation. It is best enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. If you are looking for a healthier alternative, try making shortcrust pastry with a lower fat butter or margarine.