There are only two kinds of books that I write in: craft books and cookbooks. In this particular case, I neglected to note in my baking book which method I used to make my pie dough. My brain cell thought that I mixed things up in the food processor – so I did. After having eyed this first batch of dough warily, I stuck it in the fridge for a good five hours to let the glutens do their thing and then brought it out for a roll. I can roll cookies so thin that you can see through them. So when this pie dough came out like soft shredded mush before rolling, I knew that something was wrong. But, I’m stubborn, so I tried anyway. It all ended up in the trash and I had to dig out more shortening and stuff it in the fridge to chill.

I promptly grabbed a pencil and wrote in my cookbook, “Don’t use the food processor! Very bad things happen!”

It is now 11pm and I have just finished making a lovely batch of pie dough using my mixer. I’ll roll it out tomorrow morning, stick it back in the fridge and work on the apple compote. Then make some pretty apple slices and put them on top and then caramelize and voila! One French apple tart! (I hope.)

Pictures forthcoming. (I hope.)

For now… I’m off to bed and wish my pie dough happy glutenizing.