Butter Pie Pastry

Directions

1. 1
   Put the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse several times to mix.
2. 2
   Remove the lid and scatter the butter pieces over the dry mixture.
3. 3
   Pulse the machine repeatedly6 or 7 one-second burstsuntil the butter is broken into very small pieces.
4. 4
   Place the egg yolk in a 1-cup glass measure and add just enough of the water to equal 1/4 cup liquid.
5. 5
   Using a fork, blend the water and yolk.
6. 6
   Remove the lid of the processor and pour the liquid over the entire surface of the dry ingredients.
7. 7
   Dont, in other words, pour it into one spot.
8. 8
   Pulse the machine again, in short bursts, until the pastry starts to form large clumps.
9. 9
   Dont overprocess, or the butter will start to melt rather than stay in small pieces.
10. 10
    Tear off a sheet of plastic wrap about 14 inches long and place it nearby.
11. 11
    Empty the crumbs into a large mixing bowl.
12. 12
    Using your hands, pack the dough as you would a snowball.
13. 13
    Knead the dough 2 or 3 times, right in the bowl.
14. 14
    Put the dough in the center of the plastic wrap and flatten it into a disk about 3/4 inch thick.
15. 15
    The edges will probably crack slightly; just pinch and mold them back into a smooth disk.
16. 16
    Wrap the dough in the plastic and refrigerate until firm enough to roll, about 1 hour.
17. 17
    To mix by hand: Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl and mix well.
18. 18
    Scatter the butter pieces over the dry ingredients and cut them in, using a pastry blender or 2 knives, until the butter is broken into very fine pieces; the mixture will not be quite as fine I as with the processor.
19. 19
    Blend the yolk and water as directed above.
20. 20
    Sprinkle about half of the liquid over the flour, mixing it in with a fork.
21. 21
    Lift the mixture up from the bottom of the bowl and press down on the downstroke.
22. 22
    Add the remaining liquid a little at a time until the dough coheres.
23. 23
    You may need 1 to 2 teaspoons more water.