Mortal(adj) subject to death; destined to die; as, man is mortal. Mortal(adj) destructive to life; causing or occasioning death; terminating life; exposing to or deserving death; deadly; as, a mortal wound; a mortal sin. Mortal(adj) fatally vulnerable; vital. Mortal(adj) of or pertaining to the time of death. Mortal(adj) affecting as if with power to kill; deathly. Mortal(adj) human; belonging to man, who is mortal; as, mortal wit or knowledge; mortal power. Mortal(adj) very painful or tedious; wearisome; as, a sermon lasting two mortal hours.
Shortcrust pastry is a type of pastry often used for the base of a tart, quiche or pie. It does not puff up during baking because it usually contains no leavening agent. It is possible to make shortcrust pastry with self-raising flour, however.
Some people prefer to blend pastry dough with their fingertips. They handle the shortening lightly so it doesn't melt into the flour and know just when enough liquid's been added to keep the dough both tender and flaky. Then there are those who own a food processor and let the machine be the expert dough maker. For the rest of us, there are pastry blenders.