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American Nut Pastry 2

Serves 4 to 6 Pastry vegetarian, Breads & Pastry

American Nut Pastry 2

American Nut Pastry 2 is a cherished staple at many family tables across the United States. It's crafted with a wisdom passed down through generations, where precision gives way to intuition. Home cooks often judge the salt by hand and are generous with the fat, creating a pastry that is both rich and satisfying. This version reflects how it's truly made in American homes, without the fuss of precise measurements or rigid instructions.

The pastry is a buttery, nutty delight that crumbles delicately with each bite. Its texture is tender yet substantial, offering a satisfying contrast to its subtly sweet flavor. With a mix of flour, nuts, butter, and sugar, it delivers a harmonious balance of taste and texture that speaks to the heart of homemade comfort. Enjoy it as a simple indulgence, perfect for sharing and savoring with those you love.

Ingredients

  • 250 gflour
  • 150 gnuts — chopped
  • 100 gbutter
  • 100 gsugar
  • 1egg

Method

  1. Start by bringing 100 g of butter to room temperature. This will make it easier to incorporate into the dough, ensuring a smooth and even texture. Leave the butter out on the counter for about 30 minutes until it is soft to the touch but not melted.
  2. While the butter is softening, prepare the nuts. Take 150 g of nuts and chop them finely using a sharp knife or a food processor. The nuts should be small enough to distribute evenly throughout the pastry, adding flavor and texture without overpowering the dough.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine 250 g of flour and 100 g of sugar. Mix these dry ingredients together with a whisk or a fork to ensure they are evenly distributed. This step helps prevent clumps and ensures a consistent sweetness throughout the pastry.
  4. Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour and sugar mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This technique is crucial for creating a tender, flaky pastry.
  5. Crack 1 egg into a small bowl and beat it lightly with a fork. Gradually add the beaten egg to the flour mixture, stirring gently with a wooden spoon or your hands until the dough comes together. The dough should be slightly sticky but hold its shape when pressed.
  6. Incorporate the chopped nuts into the dough by folding them in gently. Ensure that the nuts are evenly distributed throughout the dough to provide a consistent nutty flavor in every bite.
  7. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough allows the butter to firm up, which helps maintain the pastry's structure during baking.
  8. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the dough is chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Transfer the rolled dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  9. Bake the pastry in the preheated oven until it is golden brown and firm to the touch, about 15-20 minutes. The edges should be slightly darker than the center, indicating that the pastry is fully cooked.
  10. Remove the pastry from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, serve the American Nut Pastry 2 at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to be enjoyed at its best.
Cover of Authentic American Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic American Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic American Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the American volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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