Baked Pastry Shell

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Stir together flour and salt. Cut in shortening until pieces are the size of small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the water over part of the mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push to side of bowl. Repeat until all is moistened. Form into a ball.
2. On a lightly floured surface use your hands to slightly flatten dough. Roll dough from center to edges into a circle about 12 inches in diameter.
3. To transfer pastry, wrap it around the rolling pin. Unroll pastry into a 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into pie plate, being careful not to stretch pastry. Trim pastry to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold under extra pastry. Crimp edge as desired.
4. Generously prick bottom and sides of pastry in pie plate with a fork. Prick all around where bottom and sides meet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 8 servings plus a filling.