Basic Pie Pastry

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup solid vegetable shortening, chilled, in small chunks
1/4 cup cold butter, cut up
3 to 5 tablespoons ice cold water

Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add fats and cut in with pastry blender or 2 knives or rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons water. Stir with a fork until mixture clumps together to form a dough. If necessary, sprinkle with up to 2 more tablespoons water. Press dough into a ball. Flatten into a 1-inch thick circle. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour before using. Makes enough pastry for one 9-inch single-crust pie.

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