Some questions about pastry cases
Asked on 31 May 2020 by Klaas
Hello
When baking pastry Delia says in her Complete how to cook prick holes over the base and doesn’t use baking beans but if it rises in oven just pat it back down again, unfortunately mine expanded so much I had to throw it away. But in this website video I saw that Delia pricks holes then scrunches up some silver foil paper onto it then bakes it, then removes it then puts it back in oven for the allotted time. I’m a bit confused which method to use for the dessert recipes, I’m obviously talking about blind baking here.
Also should I have frozen the pastry in the pan longer than 1/2 hour before baking it?
Many thanks
Klaas
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Hello Klaas,
You can use the ‘foil’ method as shown in the cookery school for baking blind for any savoury or sweet pastry tarts even if the recipe doesn’t mention it!
If you’re not using foil (or some authors prefer parchment and baking beans) you need to make sure the sides of the pastry are higher than the sides of the edge of the tin to allow for shrinkage.
Pastry always shrinks a bit, but if you rest the dough and then take care not to stretch it when you roll it, you will reduce the amount of shrinkage.
Pricking the base will help prevent it puffing up during cooking. If it does puff up lot gently sliding the back of a tablespoon across the top immediately after you remove it from the oven will push it back. If it doesn’t push back it probably means you’ve over baked it.
Freezing the raw pastry case before using the foil method stops the pastry being damaged when you push the foil.
Chilling pastry cases before you bake them can help them keep their shape but it’s not always necessary. Some recipes the cases are brushed with egg and baked as soon as the case is lined.
Obviously, you shouldn’t brush with egg and use foil – that would be troublesome!
Best wishes
Lindsey
Hello
Do I always need to make my own pastry or can I buy the ready made pastry in a roll?
Thanks
Klaas
You can do either. Whichever suits you butI think homemade is best when you have the time.