A blender is used to incorporate cold butter into flour when making pastry, resulting in a tender crust. The U-shaped bottom has curved metal wires to cut the butter, and a straight handle at the top. A thumb tab can provide added stability. While food processors and mixers can be used, they are expensive and can result in a tougher crust. A blender is a cheap and effective tool for making pastry.
A blender, also called a pastry cutter, is used to incorporate butter into flour when making pasta. This process is often called slicing, as it tends to use cold, unsoftened butter, resulting in a more tender and tender pie crust or flaky pastry. If you’re making cakes, cookies, or any type of pasta, you’ll probably want a good blender on hand to help you get the job done.
The bottom of the dough blender is U-shaped, with 3-5 curved metal wires, through which the butter can be cut into the flour, resulting in the crumbly, floury texture of corn that is most desired before adding liquid. The top of the blender is usually a straight handle, which can be metal, plastic, or wood. The whole shape looks like a U with a line through it at the top.
One feature that bakers may find useful when using a pastry cutter is a small extended tab on one side that your thumb can press into for added stability when cutting butter and manipulating dough. It also gives you the option to press a little harder, making quick work of incorporating butter and flour. You can certainly get away with a pasta blender that doesn’t have this feature, but many people who often make pastry prefer it.
The blender may very well be one of those kitchen tools destined to become archaic to some. Many people now mix the dough in a food processor or stand mixer instead. They work, but they’re expensive. Also, you really shouldn’t be incorporating liquids into the dough via food processor or mixer. It’s too easy to mix the dough and create a sticky dough, which will result in a tougher crust. In these cases, at least remove the mixed flour, butter, and sometimes sugar from your processor or mixer and add the liquid with a few twists of your hand to incorporate it quickly, or you can use a paste blender.
If you don’t have a pasta cutter or any type of mixer, you can use a fork, two knives or even your hands to make the pasta. But there are few reasons not to get a pasta blender. They are quite cheap and you can find cheap ones, even at the supermarket for $3-5 US$ (USD). If you want a slightly more durable one, especially with the thumb print feature, expect to pay around $10 USD.
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