Best Pastry Ever

PASTRY (enough pastry for 4-5 pie shells)  The original recipe is from my Mom, Eileen,  who made the best pies ever.  

5 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. salt
1 lb. shortening

1 tbsp. brown sugar

1 egg
3 tbsp. vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar but any vinegar will do)
1 & 1/4 cup cold water

1.     Mix together flour, salt and brown sugar. Whisk together to remove the lumps.

2.    Cut up shortening into small cubes, return to cooler to keep cold.

3.    Add vinegar and egg to liquid measure cup. Beat with a fork.

4.    Add enough ice cold water to egg/vinegar mixture to make a total of 1 1/4 cup of liquid.

5.    Place measured dry ingredients in a large bowl if mixing by hand.

6.    Add shortening and with a knife or a pastry blender start cutting the shortening in to the flour until all the shortening is dime size and mealy.

Miriam's Time Saving Tip♥ If using a stand mixer for pastry making do not multi-task. Stay at the mixer and pulse the machine on and off until the flour and shortening are slightly mixed but not totally combined. There should still be big size chunks of shortening showing and plenty of loose flour when you add the liquid. Do not be alarmed at this because if you go too far at this stage you will ruin the pastry.

7.     Add liquid to the flour mixture and with a fork mix liquid in. Do not over mix at this stage or your pastry will be tough. Gently form into a ball with your hand.

8.    Roll dough up into a disc and wrap in parchment paper and then in a clean plastic bag and store in cooler until needed.

Miriam's Time Saving Tip♥ Making this pastry ahead is a great time saver. It keeps well for over a week in the fridge as long as it is wrapped well. After making pies freeze the remaining pastry for use later.