Basic Pie Pastry

Directions

1. 1
   Combine the flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest in a large mixing bowl.
2. 2
   Add the butter and mix with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. 3
   Add the egg yolk and ice water and work that in with your hands.
4. 4
   (Or do the whole thing in a food processor, pulsing a couple of times to combine the dry ingredients, then pulsing in the butter, and then the egg.)
5. 5
   Check the consistency of the dough by squeezing a small amount together between thumb and forefingers: You want there to be just enough moisture to bind the dough so that it holds together without being too wet or sticky.
6. 6
   If it's still crumbly, add a little more ice water, 1 teaspoon at a time.
7. 7
   When you get it to the right consistency, shape the dough into a disk and wrap it in plastic.
8. 8
   Put it in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes.