5-minute shortcrust pastry recipe

<p></p><p>Put the flour into the food processor. Add a pinch of salt, along with the butter and lard. Pulse briefly until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs - don't over-mix, otherwise the finished pastry will be tough. Add cold water, 1tbsp at a time, and pulse until the mixture just comes together.</p>

<p></p><p>Turn pastry on to a floured worksurface (a cool marble slab is ideal) and gently bring the mixture together with your hands to form a ball. Flatten slightly, wrap in cling-film and chill for 30min. This will help the pastry relax, which makes it easier to roll and less likely to shrink during baking.</p>

<p></p><p>Lightly dust your worksurface and rolling pin with flour. Roll the pastry into a 30.5cm (12in) circle, turning it 90° a few times to keep it circular. Lift half over the rolling pin, put into the flan tin, then press gently into the base and sides. Trim edges carefully. Press the pastry edge above the rim by 5mm (1⁄4in), then prick the base all over with a fork. Chill for 20min in the freezer.</p>

<p></p><p>Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan oven) mark 4. Cut a piece of greaseproof paper 5cm (2in) larger than the tin and sit it inside. Tip in enough ceramic baking beans, dried beans or rice to cover the base, then ease into the edges to stop the pastry bubbling up during cooking. Bake for 15min.</p>

<p></p><p>Carefully remove the paper and baking beans. Brush the hot pastry with a little beaten egg to seal it and prevent any filling leaking through when you pour it into the case. Return to the oven for 5-10min until dry and pale golden. Leave to cool in the tin on a wire rack. This technique is called baking blind.</p> <p><strong>Try these other shortcrust pastry recipes by the Good Housekeeping cookery team:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/food/recipes/apple-pie" target="_blank"><strong>Apple pie</strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/food/recipes/onion-and-goats-cheese-tart" target="_blank"><strong>Quick caramelised onion and goats cheese tart</strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/food/recipes/cupcake-quiche-lorraines" target="_blank"><strong>Cupcake quiche lorraines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/food/recipes/onion-potato-and-thyme-tart" target="_blank"><strong>Onion, potato and thyme tart</strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/food/recipes/simple-smoked-salmon-tart" target="_blank"><strong>Simple smoked salmon tart</strong></a></p>