Walnut Pastry Dough

Directions

1. 1
   Cut butter into pieces and soften to cool room temperature.
2. 2
   In a food processor pulse walnuts until finely ground.
3. 3
   Add confectioners' sugar, flour, and salt and pulse until combined.
4. 4
   Transfer mixture to a large bowl and add butter.
5. 5
   With your fingertips or a pastry blender blend together flour mixture and butter until most of mixture resembles coarse meal with remainder in small (roughly pea-size) lumps.
6. 6
   Stir together yolk and ice water and add to mixture.
7. 7
   With a fork toss mixture until liquid is incorporated.
8. 8
   Gently form mixture into a ball and on a lightly floured surface smear dough in 3 or 4 forward motions with heel of hand to help distribute fat and make dough easier to work with.
9. 9
   Form dough into a ball and flatten to form a disk.
10. 10
    Chill dough, wrapped in plastic wrap, 1 hour, or until firm but not hard.
11. 11
    (Dough may be covered and chilled 1 day ahead or frozen 1 month.)