Sweet Kitchen Tips 7
Friday, September 24, 2010
Need to measure a solid fat like lard or shortening for that pie? But, you hate cleaning the measuring cup afterwards? Here is something that may help you with that. Line the measuring cup with plastic wrap before adding the fat. Push the fat into the cup with a spatula or wooden spoon to be sure the cup is completely full. Then when you are ready, all you have to do is simply pull the hanging wrapping and the cup stays clean. You can even go one step further and chill the fat in the plastic wrap before cutting it into the flour for the pie dough.
And if you are using butter…
… you know that using your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour can heat it and melt it pretty quick. The food processor is the best method to avoid this, but if you don’t have one, or you don’t want to use it, try this: Rub a frozen stick of butter against the large holes of a regular box grater over the flour. Then use a pastry blender to work the butter into the flour. You want to make it even easier? Press the cold butter through a potato ricer.
Reader Comments (5)
Nice tips Monica.! I actually like using my hands to work flour and butter. It's fun and my hands smells so good afterward. Another tip for the butter is to freeze it first. They will melt much slower.
That first time is a life saver. Its so obvious and yet I always crib while measure greasy things!
PS it shows an error while I post my URL :(
www.journeykitchen.com
Brilliant! The potato ricer has been sitting in my cupboard forever doing nothing.
Love the cling wrap tip. I usually use a pastry blender for thebutter!
I love the plastic wrap tip for measuring shortening! I will definitely have to try that.