Basic savory pie dough No. 1

  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Basic savory pie dough No. 1

Total time: 15 minutes, plus freezing and chilling times

Servings: Makes enough dough for 1 double-crust (9-inch) pie or 6 individual hand pies

1/2 cup lard or vegetable shortening

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

2 2/3 cups (11 1/2 ounces) flour

1 teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons cold water

1. Freeze the lard and butter until solid, at least one hour (up to overnight).

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Using the coarse side of a grater, grate the frozen lard and butter into the flour. (If the lard or butter begins to stick, dust the grater lightly with flour).

3. Sprinkle the cold water over the mixture, a little at a time, mixing with a fork, until it just begins to form a rough clump. Handling as little as possible, press the dough into a disk. Wrap the dough tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, up to overnight.

Each of 6 servings: 492 calories; 6 grams protein; 42 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 33 grams fat; 17 grams saturated fat; 57 mg. cholesterol; 0 sugar; 391 mg. sodium.