I’m reaching out to those who have given up to give it another go because if I can do it after all these years – anyone can.
Basic recipe – half fat to flour. so 500g flour/250g fat. 250g flour/125g fat. 100g flour/50g fat etc
weigh out your flour and fat precisely. and put some cold water in a jug
Food processor - normal blade - flour in first (so that the fat doesn't just clog under the blades - yep I've done that). fat cubed on top
Blitz for about 30 seconds for it to turn to breadcrumbs
turn on again. add a weeny bit of water at a time through the funnel thingy
you've added enough water when the (now dough) comes clean off the sides (pictured)
turn out onto a lightly floured surface and form into a ball.
wrap tightly in clingfilm and refrigerate for AT LEAST 30 Minutes - This is when the water activates the gluten in the flour. It makes it all stay stuck together. Don't skip this step otherwise when you go to roll it out it will return to crumbs!
Done
Tip - you've followed all the steps but when you go to roll it out it breaks when you pick it up - not enough water - there hasn't been enough to activate the gluten in your flour. DON'T BIN IT JUST YET. Return it to the food processor and blitz back to breadcrumbs. then add more cold water (a little at a time) until its back to a dough until the sides of your food processor jug is clean?. It will feel damp but not wet - i wish i could explain that better. Anyway, again form into a ball, wrap and refrigerate for 30mins then try rolling again
Ingredients
Directions
weigh out your flour and fat precisely. and put some cold water in a jug
Food processor - normal blade - flour in first (so that the fat doesn't just clog under the blades - yep I've done that). fat cubed on top
Blitz for about 30 seconds for it to turn to breadcrumbs
turn on again. add a weeny bit of water at a time through the funnel thingy
you've added enough water when the (now dough) comes clean off the sides (pictured)
turn out onto a lightly floured surface and form into a ball.
wrap tightly in clingfilm and refrigerate for AT LEAST 30 Minutes - This is when the water activates the gluten in the flour. It makes it all stay stuck together. Don't skip this step otherwise when you go to roll it out it will return to crumbs!
Done
Tip - you've followed all the steps but when you go to roll it out it breaks when you pick it up - not enough water - there hasn't been enough to activate the gluten in your flour. DON'T BIN IT JUST YET. Return it to the food processor and blitz back to breadcrumbs. then add more cold water (a little at a time) until its back to a dough until the sides of your food processor jug is clean?. It will feel damp but not wet - i wish i could explain that better. Anyway, again form into a ball, wrap and refrigerate for 30mins then try rolling again