A pastry cutter is a tool used to mix shortening or butter into flour for pie crusts and bread. It can be made with blades or wires and is inexpensive. It can also be used for scoring bread or making indentations in pasta.
A pastry cutter, which is also occasionally referred to as a pastry blender, is typically used to prepare pie crusts and various types of bread. Cutters are typically made with a handle on one end attached to small steel blades or wires that are fairly close together. The ends can make it easier for the shortening or butter to be thoroughly mixed into the flour, which is usually important for making good pie and bread crusts. Blade cutters are often thought to be more effective for mixing dough, but the wire variety is generally easier to clean and can be less expensive to purchase. Both types are generally inexpensive and can be purchased at most retail stores that sell kitchenware as well as online.
Using a pastry cutter to mix shortening or butter into the flour typically involves rocking it back and forth within the mixing bowl until the mixture looks like pea-sized crumbs. Some people also add water to the batter as they blend, but this is generally more effective for pie crusts because it can make it easier to get the perfect texture. When making bread, the liquid can normally be added after the other ingredients have been mixed. It may also be a good idea for a person to chill the pastry cutter before using, especially if they will be working with ingredients that are expected to be cold. This may prevent the room temperature cutter from raising the temperature of the ingredients.
Many people don’t own cookie cutters and may avoid recipes that call for them. There are a few items that almost anyone can have in the kitchen that could stand in for a pastry cutter. Some people mix the shortening into the flour using just a fork and swirl the bowl with their fingers as they work through the ingredients. Two knives can also work well for mixing pastry ingredients together. Most people use knives to cut pasta by crossing them and repeatedly sliding them to the opposite end of the bowl.
Pastry mixing isn’t the only thing a person can use a pastry cutter for. The unique shape and design of these kitchen utensils make them useful for some other kitchen projects. The sharp edges of a pastry cutter could make scoring the tops of bread or cakes very easy. You can also use them to make indentations in homemade pastas. Some people also like to use potato cutters to mash potatoes.
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