Short crust Pastry

So many dishes have pastry and I have struggled to make decent pastry, but I finally made it today!! After a friend requested a recipe for pastry here goes…

Ingredients

• 100g plain flour (gluten free – we use Doves Farm)
• 50g block butter (dairy and soya free – we use block Stork)
• 1tsp xantham gum
• pinch of salt
• cold water

Method

1. Put flour, xantham gum and salt in a bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces and coat in flour. Always ensure your hands are as cold as possible and rub the butter in to get breadcrumbs, but try not to over do it or it will become a very sticky mess.
2. Slowly add in some cold water, but mix it with a fork to get it to come together (I used 8tsp of cold water).
3. When it is just together wrap it in clingfilm and pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes (it needs this time to chill).
4. Flour your work surface and rolling pin, it is a little sticky, and then roll to about 2mm.
5. Then shape and bake for about 20minutes on 180C.

This recipe made 9 circles for jam tarts, it you need more try doubling it.