Ingredients

makes one 9-inch crust

　　1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

　　1/2 teaspoon salt

　　1/2 teaspoon sugar

　　1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

　　2 to 4 tablespoons ice water

　　

Step 1

In a food processor, briefly pulse flour, salt, and sugar to combine. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, with a few pea-size pieces of butter remaining. Add 2 tablespoons ice water. Pulse until dough is crumbly but holds together when squeezed (if necessary, add up to 2 tablespoons more water, 1 tablespoon at a time). Do not overmix.

　　

Step 2

Turn out dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Fold plastic over dough; press to shape into a 1-inch-thick disk. Wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour (or up to 3 days), or freeze up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

　　Everyday Food: Fresh Flavor Fast by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Copyright © 2010 by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Published by the Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Martha Stewart Living magazine was first published in 1990. Over the years, more than two dozen books have been published by the magazine’s editors.Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of best-selling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the successful daily syndicated television show.