Posted By Nancy:

Foolproof Pie Dough-Single-Crust Pie (double for a 2-crust pie). Vodka is essential to the texture of the crust and imparts no flavorÂdo not substitute. This dough will be moister and more supple than most standard pie doughs and will require more flour to roll out (up to 1/4 cup).

INGREDIENTS

# 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (6 1/4 ounces)
# 1/2 teaspoon table salt
# 1 tablespoon sugar
# 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (3/4 stick), cut into 1/4-inch slices
# 1/4 cup chilled solid vegetable shortening, cut into 2 pieces
# 2 tablespoons vodka, cold (Grey Goose recommended)
# 2 tablespoons cold water

1. Process 3/4 cups flour, salt, and sugar together in food processor until combined, about 2 one-second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until homogeneous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 10 seconds (dough will resemble cottage cheese curds with some very small pieces of butter remaining, but there should be no uncoated flour). Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade. Add remaining 1/2 cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into bowl.

2. Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together. Flatten dough into 4-inch disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.

3. Adjust oven rack to lowest position, place rimmed baking sheet on oven rack, and heat oven to 425 degrees. Remove dough from refrigerator and roll out on generously floured (up to ¼ cup) work surface to 12-inch circle about 1/8 inch thick. Roll dough loosely around rolling pin and unroll into pie plate, leaving at least 1-inch overhang on each side. Working around circumference, ease dough into plate by gently lifting edge of dough with one hand while pressing into plate bottom with other hand. Leave overhanging dough in place; refrigerate until dough is firm, about 30 mins.

4. Trim overhang to ½ inch beyond lip of pie plate. Fold overhang under itself; folded edge should be flush with edge of pie plate. Flute dough or press the tines of a fork against dough to flatten it against rim of pie plate. Refrigerate dough-lined plate until firm, about 15 minutes.

5. Remove pie pan from refrigerator, line crust with foil, and fill with pie weights or pennies. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and weights, rotate plate, and bake for 5 to 10 minutes additional minutes until crust is golden brown and crisp.

Thanks a million Ann! I'm making butter tarts, that great Canadian treat. Wish me luck you know me and baking! LOL

The reason you couldn't find it is likely because NO searches work right now. $#!+ I was just trying to look up the ginger cookies. Of course I didn't clip the post.

FOAS. Not sure which ginger cookie you were looking for, but I can highly recommend these. Add a little candied ginger for an extra kick.

Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table - Cookies

Extra-Spicy Gingersnaps
=======================
Posted by:

KarenInSeattle on Thu, Oct 17, 02 at 19:14

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger, or more
to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
8 tablespoons (1 stick) cool unsalted
butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra
for rolling
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
1/4 cup egg whites (from about 2
eggs)

Combine the flour, baking soda, and
spices in a mixing bowl and set aside.
Cream the butter until smooth and
fluffy in a mixer fitted with a paddle
attachment (or using a hand mixer).
Add the sugars and mix. Add the
molasses and mix. Add the egg whites
in 2 batches, mixing to combine after
each addition. Add the dry ingredients
in three batches, mixing to combine
after each addition.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread a few tablespoons of
granulated sugar on a small plate.

Roll the dough into 3/4-inch balls,
then roll each ball in the sugar until
lightly coated. Transfer to parchment
lined cookie sheets, leaving 1-inch of
space between the cookies. Bake until
browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on
wire racks and store in an airtight
container.

Yield: 60 cookies

good luck Sharon!