Plain Pastry (Pate Brisee)

Directions

1. 1
   Sift the flour and salt into a bowl.
2. 2
   Add the butter and shortening and cut them into the flour with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
3. 3
   Add the ice water quickly while tossing the flour-shortening mixture to distribute the moisture.
4. 4
   Continue tossing until it begins to gather itself together.
5. 5
   Form into a ball, divide in two and flatten each half into a thick round.
6. 6
   Wrap in wax paper and chill thoroughly before rolling out.