Pastry Dough

Directions

1. 1
   Blend together flour, butter, shortening, and salt in a bowl with your fingertips or a pastry blender (or pulse in a food processor) until mixture resembles coarse meal with some small (roughly pea-size) butter lumps.
2. 2
   Drizzle 4 tablespoons ice water evenly over and gently stir with a fork (or pulse in a food processor) until incorporated.
3. 3
   Gently squeeze a small handful: If it doesn't hold together, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring (or pulsing) after each addition until incorporated and continuing to test.
4. 4
   (Do not overwork dough, or pastry will be tough.)
5. 5
   Turn dough out onto a work surface and divide into 4 portions.
6. 6
   With heel of your hand, smear each portion once or twice in a forward motion to help distribute fat.
7. 7
   Gather dough and form into 2 balls, then flatten each into a 5-inch disk.
8. 8
   Wrap disks separately in plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 1 hour.