Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup cold butter or margarine, cut up
- 2 tbs cold shortening
- 3 tbs cold water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups half and half
- 5 egg yolks
- 3 tbs butter or margarine
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 quart fresh strawberries, sliced
- Garnish: fresh mint sprig
Preparation
Step 1
Pulse first 3 ingredients in a blender or food processor 3 or 4 times or until combined.
Add 1/3 cup butter and shortening; pulse 5 or 6 times or until crumbly. With blender or processor running, gradually add 3 tablespoons water, and process. until dough forms a ball and leaves sides of bowl, adding more water if necessary. Wrap dough in plastic wrap, and chill 1 hour.
Roll dough to 1/8-inch thickpess on a lightly floured surface, Press into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch tart pan. Line dough with parchment paper; fill with pie weights or dried beans.
Bake at 425° for 15 minutes. Remove weights and parchment paper, and bake 3 more minutes.
Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan.
Whisk together half-and-half and egg yolks. Gradually whisk half-and-half mixture into sugar mixture in saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Remove mixture from heat.
Stir in 3 tablespoons butter and vanilla; cover and chill at least 4 hours. Spoon into prepared pastry shell; top with strawberry slices, and serve immediately. Garnish, if desired.