Pate Brisee

Put the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Add the pieces of butter and process for approximately 10 seconds or just until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

Add the ice water, drop by drop, through the feed tube with the machine running, just until the dough holds together without being wet or sticky; do not process more than 30 seconds. Test the dough at this point by squeezing a small amount together. If it is crumbly, add a bit more water.

Turn the dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Grasping the ends of the plastic wrap with your hands, press the dough into a flat circle. This makes rolling the dough easier than if the pastry is chilled as a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for at least an hour.