Plain Paste

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 cup shortening 1/3 cup ice water 1/4 cup butter

Sift flour, salt, and baking powder; rub in shortening with finger tips until mixture is like fine meal; add water gradually until a soft but not sticky dough is formed, mixing with a knife; when dough is mixed, the side of the bowl should be clean, neither sticky nor dry with flour. Slightly more or less water may be needed. Roll paste, on a lightly floured board, into an even rectangular shape; divide butter into three parts; cover two-thirds of paste with dots of butter, using one part; fold first the unbuttered third, then the remaining third, so that there will be three layers of paste with butter between; roll out again, dot with butter as before, and fold; repeat for third time. Put paste on ice until thoroughly chilled. Any good shortening may be used in place of butter, but the butter flavor will be lacking. This is enough for one pie with two crusts; double the amount of paste can be made with the same amount of labor. It keeps well if wrapped in cheesecloth and put in a cool place.

Rich Paste

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups shortening

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Ice water

Sift flour, sugar, and salt; add shortening, and rub in with finger tips or chop with a knife in each hand until mixture is like fine meal; add lemon juice and enough water to form a stiff paste (about two-thirds of a cup) ; roll out into a thin sheet and fold in four layers; roll out and fold three times. Chill before using. This rule makes two pies. It is less expensive than puff paste, and yet is a very good substitute for it.

Patty Shells

Roll paste one-eighth of an inch thick, cover inverted tin patty pans or individual pie dishes, trim paste evenly, and press down the edge firmly; prick with a fork, place on a baking sheet, and bake in a hot oven about twelve minutes. Remove pans, and fill with any cooked fruit mixture, berries, or creamed meats or vegetables.

Pie Shell

Roll paste one-quarter inch thick, cover an inverted tin pie plate, trim, and press the edges firmly; prick with a fork, place on a baking sheet, and bake in a hot oven about fifteen minutes. Fill with cooked pie mixtures and cover with a meringue, or garnish with bits of pastry which have been cut in fancy shapes and baked.

Tart Shells

Roll Rich Paste (see No. 620) one-third of an inch thick, cut into small rounds, moisten the edges of half of them with cold water, cut out the centers of the other half with a small cutter, place upon whole rounds, and press firmly together; chill, and bake in a hot oven about twenty minutes. Fill with jelly, jam, or fruit paste. When shells are to be filled with creamed meats, etc., cut with a larger cutter.

Banbury Tarts

1 cup raisins 3/4 cup sugar

Juice and rind of 1 lemon 1/4 cup sifted crumbs

Seed and chop raisins, and mix with sugar, lemon, and crumbs. Roll paste one-eighth inch thick, and cut in three-inch rounds; put half a tablespoon of raisin mixture on half of each round, moisten edges with water, fold double, and press edges firmly together. Prick with a fork, and bake in a hot oven about fifteen minutes.

Prune And Apple Tart Filling

Use recipe for Prune and Apple Shortcake (see No. 445), fill cooked paste shells, and garnish with bits of cooked paste.

Cinnamon Hearts

Roll Rich Paste (see No. 620) very thin in an even rectangular shape; sprinkle with powdered sugar mixed with a little cinnamon. The paste should be about twelve inches long. Fold each end toward the center two inches; fold each end again toward the center; fold double, and chill. Cut in one-third-inch slices, place flat side down on a baking sheet two inches apart, and bake in a hot oven about eight minutes.