How I Make Pie Crust (Or You Don't Need a Rolling Pin)

I try to avoid convenience foods whenever possible. It irritates me to spend more than  I need to on anything, especially when I'm convinced that I can do or make whatever-it-is at least as well as the store-bought version, and usually I feel like I can make or do it better. Sometimes I don't have any confidence issues.

Anytime you see a recipe that calls for a pie crust -- and especially a store-bought one-- please, for the love, try this recipe before you reach for anything off the shelf or out of the freezer!!! Your body may thank you for not pickling it with a ton of preservatives and ingredients that you can't even pronounce. It may not thank you for falling off the diet wagon, but that's a totally different story anyway....

You need:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup oil
3 TBSP milk (or a splash more if your crust is too dry)
1/2 tsp. salt
pie plate

Dump all of the ingredients into the pie plate willy-nilly.....

...use a fork to mix it all together...

...(it should look something like this)...

...and then, using your fingers, press the dough into the plate to form the crust, and prick the bottom with the fork.

Obviously, I don't worry about whether or not it's Better-Homes-and-Gardens pretty or Martha-Stewart perfect. To me, some battles are worth fighting and some just aren't.

At this point, you could bake it at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until it's golden (I always have to keep checking it...my oven is not fabulous).

Or you could fill it...this one is a yummy fudge pie...

...and bake according to the recipe.

Almost looks good enough to eat, doesn't it?

I've been making pie crust using this recipe since i was a teenager. The first time I ever made a pie for my Mammaw, she took a bite, looked at me, and asked if I made my own crust. "Yes, ma'am!" She picked her fork back up, resumed eating, and said, "It's not everybody that can make a good pie crust."

Now, if an Ozarks-born-and-raised Mammaw tells you that you make a good pie crust, you'd better believe it's true. Mammaw didn't "tell stories."

This post is linked to House of Hepworths Don't Waste Your Homemaking Thrifty 101 What's Cooking Love? Here Comes the Sun Skip To My Lou Cindy's Recipes and Writing