Put the ingredients in a bowl and use the pastry blender by mashing the blades into the butter and flour. Instead of Vinegar we use Vodka and the last crust I made I used Whipped Cream Vodka and it turned out great! I have found that a Pastry blender is a real time saver when used to chop hard boiled eggs, avocados, and bananas for banana nut bread. Ideal for flaky pastry or biscuit mixes. The butter breaks up and, as you repeat the motion, breaks down into small pieces and mixes throughout the dough. Continue cutting until the dough appears crumbly. This works heavy-duty despite being light because you don’t need to use a masher to get the results you desire. It's a pastry blender. AND even though my recipe call for 1/4 cup of each, I combine them and end up using about half. Can’t beat this site. @SarahGen-- I think that both types work well, but the type with blades is a little bit easier to clean. This process is often called cutting, since you tend to use cold and unsoftened butter, resulting in a flakier and more tender pie or pastry crust. How to Use a Pastry Blender to Cut in Butter. Trader Joe’s Stroopwafel Cake Baking Mix, reviewed. You'd never have room for them all in your drawers and cabinets! Copyrights © 2017 Baking Bites &trade. ~ A very nice explanation and how-to! … A pastry blender is a cooking utensil used to mix a hard (solid) fat into flour in order to make pastries. thoroughly than any other method I’ve tried! It is crazy fast to put the dough together. This is used to "cut in" ingredients like butter into flour. It's used to combine flour and butter when making bread or other pastries. I like kitchen gadgets the have multi-uses so I tried using my pastry blender in other ways and Guarantee . The tines are curved, so you can use the tool right in your mixing bowl, and they are attached to a handle that makes it very easy to grip. The Stainless Steel Pastry Blender with 5 Blades is a great quality product. A pastry blender is used to incorporate fat into flour while still allowing lumps of the fat to remain. Run your hands under cold water before you start to help with this. A pastry blender is used to cut butter into flour and looks something like this: (Image from crate and barrel) It is used to cut butter into flour, while leaving it in relatively large solid chunks. Then, how to use a fork as a pastry blender? If you make pies, biscuits, or any type of pastry, you’re likely to want a good dough blender on hand to help you do the work. It makes a perfect masher for a potato or two if you’d like to make some quick mashed potatoes. Use it in any recipe that uses pastry flour, getting the same results. discovered that it cuts and dices hard boiled eggs for egg salad faster and more Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. This is a half-moon-shaped, handheld tool with four or five metal strips running along one side -- shaped into a curve -- and a handle on the other side. Up next: Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently Pastry cutter can help you when you are making pasta also. I now use it for chopping other things as well. Hold a knife in each hand and make slicing motions into the flour/shortening mixture. It's used to combine flour and butter when making bread or other pastries. This model boasts a full stainless steel construction. A pastry blender is used for baking scones and pie crust. Another great dough blender is this one from Spring Chef. Want to know the best part? The wires aren’t terribly strong, so you wouldn’t want to use it to mash anything exceptionally hard, but it will work well to crush a few bananas for banana bread, or turn your butternut squash into a lovely puree. such as room temperature butter or shortening. You can now pick up each edge gently. medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Use & Care. The term "pastry blender" can be misleading and sounds like it should be some sort of electric kitchen appliance or at least something with moving parts. This process is often called cutting, since you tend to use cold and unsoftened butter, resulting in a flakier and more tender pie or pastry crust. For just few dollars you could have a very handy tool that can make light work of pastry, dough, crumb type toppings, nut chopping, cracker crushing, potato or banana mashing (for banana bread) salsas, dips and guacamole. This allows the resulting baked good to develop layers where the fat melts during baking. Even though the pastry blender is specifically meant for making piecrusts and the like, you can use it for a few other things. This helpful kitchen tool is undoubtedly inexpensive, usually about $5-10 US Dollars (USD) or slightly more if you want a very fancy one. The wires are too thick and too close together so it is not up to snuff to blend with. Cheese Grater. See three different techniques for cutting in butter, using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips. After using flavour rolling pin to roll the dough, pick it up and place it in such a way that the edge is all the way over to one side of the pan. Pastry blender definition is - a device consisting of a handle with wires fastened to each end so that they form a deep curve that is used in cutting fat into flour in pastry making. A pastry blender, also called a pastry cutter, is a useful tool in the kitchen. Freeze the butter you plan to use in the recipe. If not, take out two dinner knives. Another combination of flours to substitute for pastry flour is a ½ cup of cake flour and a ½ cup of all-purpose flour. And those who use a pastry blender on a regular basis will tell you these are the points that matter the most. You may need consider between hundred or thousand products from many store. I taught my students how to make dough from scratch and they had never used one of these before. Pastry cutter can help you when you are making pasta also. I used these pastry blenders for a pie class. For standard piecrust, your work is finished with the pastry blender when the butter/flour mix resembles coarse cornmeal. Place flour, baking powder/baking soda, salt, sugar into your recipe. This should be done very gently and quickly. Add the flour and cold butter to the bowl of a food processor. The pastry blender, which sounds like a bad title for a horror movie, is the best. Pastry Blender. I just put the item in a bowl and use the pastry blender to chop are mash to the desired consistency. With one knife, cut butter into small slices (whether you have a pastry blender or not) and add to your flour mixture. It can do it’s work very nicely. The pastry cutter is not as advanced as a blender but you can easily make good pastries with it. It’s well worth looking for a type with this extra thumb rest, since you can better control the pastry blender if you can use your thumb to exert pressure on the flour/shortening mix. Perfectly Creamy Frozen Yogurt is Available for Pre-Order! I don't like to give bad reviews but this blender couldn't hold a candle to my old one. It is also used to break these fats (shortening, butter, lard) into smaller pieces. A pastry cutter sounds like a cookie cutter but that's not what it is. Question. It has a good weight to it, making this pastry cutter especially sturdy and easy to use. A pastry blender is a cooking utensil used to mix a hard (solid) fat into flour in order to make pastries. I'm not sure why pastry blenders are sometimes called "pastry cutters". They're both equally effective at blending however. It’s one of my indispensable kitchen tools! Strong handle for better blending. Many recipes for pastry crust and for butter or shortening rich biscuits or scones require you to add cold butter or shortening to flour. The pastry blender, which sounds like a bad title for a horror movie, is the best. I alway make pie pastry with a pastry blender and I see them using just their hands (or even a blunt knife) instead. I have found that a Pastry blender is a real time saver when used to chop hard boiled eggs, avocados, and bananas for banana nut bread. 9 Norpro 3247 Deluxe Pastry Blender – Best Easy to Use Pastry Blender. When you are ready to cut in the butter, slice it into smaller pieces, and put it in the (large, shallow) bowl with your dry ingredients. Thank you a lot!! To use the pastry blender, grip the handle and press the blades down into the butter, essentially cutting the butter into pieces. The food processor is faster than the blender, but there is more cleanup to do. Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent wiseGEEK In terms of durability, the Norpro 3247 Deluxe Pastry Blender does not disappoint. This is used to "cut in" ingredients like butter into flour. To use, hold Pastry Blender in palm of hand. The rubberized handle makes gripping the pastry cutter while you work comfortable, reducing pain and wrist strain. Is it a tool only used in the US? The soft grip handle provides maximum support and control when pressing the wires into the butter or flour mixture. Put the ingredients in a bowl and use the pastry blender by mashing the blades into the butter and flour. Norpro is famous for creating high-quality kitchen tools. Thank you Estelle, and beware sweetheart I use OXO Good Grips dough blender with blades Use a pastry blender which ultimately works pretty similar to the knife method but is easier. ). Use a knife or spatula to scrape any excess pastry off the tines, then continue making your dough according to your recipe. All Rights Reserved. Your methods work! The u-shaped wires of the pastry blender do a nice job cutting the ingredients together, and unlike working with your hands to combine the two, the pastry cutter stays cool so you’ll keep the shortening at optimum temperature. Wash prior to first use; dishwasher-safe. Use 1 (4-ounce) stick of butter. Then, grate the butter using a box cheese grater. Afterwards, allow to lay gently over the pan but pull it out. You don’t want that in pastry making. Prepworks by Progressive Blade Pastry Blender with Integrated Cleaning Tab. Your email address will not be published. A pastry blender creates a flaky effect with the butter for your baked goods. Dishwasher Safe. If you don’t have a pasty cutter in your kitchen you can use an alternative of pastry cutter which may be available in your kitchen. Mix well. Since I bake more frequently now, I want to get a pastry blender to make my life a little easier. This is a half-moon-shaped, handheld tool with four or five metal strips running along one side -- shaped into a curve -- and a handle on the other side. Add butter/shortening. The wires help evenly distribute fat throughout the dough. It can do it’s work very nicely. https://www.recipetips.com/glossary-term/t--33663/pastry-blender.asp Why don’t they ever use a pastry blender on the show? A pastry cutter, also known as a pastry blender or dough blender, is used to work solid fats like butter, shortening, or lard into flour to create a dough. It will probably take you 30-60 seconds, depending on how much dough you have, to break the fat down to the consistency called for in your recipe (larger pieces of butter for pie dough, smaller for shortbreads, etc. The blender can be used both with cold fats, such as chilled butter or lard, and softened fats. Use an up and down with a slight rocking motion to blend ingredients. It is comfortable enough to use, but there are more comfortable options for prolonged use. There are so many kitchen gadgets out there that it is really impractical to have tools that can be used for only one use. Working by hand is satisfying, but messy, and working with the blender will save you a couple of minutes by streamlining the work. 161686 plays. The substitute traditionally recommended is to use two knives, but this combination is quite fussy to use. Aside from mashing potatoes, you can use the sharp end of a pastry blender to make indentations on breads and other baked goods. Continue pressing the blender into the fat. If you don't have a pastry blender, alternatives include: Using two knives, criss-crossed, to slowly cut the butter up with the flour mixture in a scissors-like motion. Many recipes for pastry crust and for butter or shortening rich biscuits or scones require you to add cold butter or shortening to flour. Which type is better? The pastry blender features curved, yet flexible tempered stainless steel wires. The butter breaks up and, as you repeat the motion, breaks down into small pieces and mixes throughout the dough. Proceed with your recipe as instructed. Almost all of the fat/pastry dough that sticks to the tines will come off as you continue to work the pastry. Position the two knives on either side of the bowl and work your way toward the center. A pastry blender, with thin, crescent-shaped wires fastened on each side to a handle, is a device used to combine solid fat with dry ingredients when making pastry dough. With the pastry cutters that include cookie cutters, consider the types of cookies you’ll make. 728 reviews analysed. And aside from mashing things, is it useful for anything else? Subscribe to our newsletter and learn something new every day. While you can accomplish this process with two knives or a fork, using the pastry blender makes it easier to adequately cut the butter into the flour. Nov 26, 2016 - A pastry blender is a kitchen tool with metal tines that allows you to cut butter, or other fats, into flour quickly and easily. After you have grated all of the butter you plan to use, mix the cold, grated butter into the flour mixture. This ratio will get you just the right amount of protein in the flour mix – the cake flour with it’s 7% and all-purpose with 11% will produce baking results similar to those using pastry flour. I like to use a pastry blender. this dough blender is made with sturdy metal blades that are thicker than other blades in the market. How to use a pastry blender? I don't use it and it is in a box of old kitchenware I no longer use. The tool is usually made of narrow metal strips or wires attached to a handle, and is used by pressing down on the items to be mixed (known as "cutting in"). One-year guarantee for noncommercial use. Pastry blender definition is - a device consisting of a handle with wires fastened to each end so that they form a deep curve that is used in cutting fat into flour in pastry making. If you don’t have a pasty cutter in your kitchen you can use an alternative of pastry … They were pretty sturdy, and very cost effective Amber G. on 12/09/2019. Wrap in clingfilm, flatten into a disc and chill for 1 hour. Bakers develop various techniques for using them; perhaps at first cutting the butter into smaller amounts between the wires, then rocking the blender back and forth to create an incorporated mix. Put it in the bowl in which there has been the flour and also the ingredients (dry ingredients). Instead, it is a very basic and simple device, and quite affordable averaging less than $5. Pastry cutters can go well beyond cutting butter into dough. Grip the handle and press the tines down into the fat, cutting it and combining it with the flour/sugar/other ingredients for your pastry. Add 4 tbsp of water and mix. Archived. It’s pretty fast, it’s pretty easy, and this is exactly what this tool was made for. Let’s find out which is your favorite one. The butter is cold when you’re adding it to your recipe – coarse crumbs of butter. Just because it was created for a purpose, it doesn't mean that is all that it can be used for. I can't say that the blades are super easy to clean, but it is relatively easier in comparison to the wires. So why would you want a hand held pastry blender? That comfortable handle also provides non-skid functionality to keep … u/botanygeek. The tool is usually made of narrow metal strips or wires attached to a handle, and is used by pressing down on the items to be mixed (known as "cutting in"). That's about all you can do with it. A dough blender, also called a pastry cutter, is used to incorporate butter into flour when you are making pastry. Made in China. Use your right hand to lightly rake one knife across the left side of the mixture, while simultaneously using your left hand to mix the fat throughout the right side of the bowl. To use a pastry blender, combine the ingredients you need to blend in a bowl. Hold the edge of the bowl with one hand, and the pastry blender in the other. My old pastry blender broke after using it for many years so consequently I had to buy another one. 1 year ago. Vickie S. on 12/06/2019. Cut the butter into 1 tablespoon sized slices. I’ve been struggling with this for so long and it took all the fun out of it. Press the pastry blender into the fat and flour, giving it a half turn as you press, then lift and repeat with rapid hand motions. Don’t worry if the fat sticks to the tines. Rub the mixture between your forefingers and thumbs until it forms a fine breadcrumb consistency OR use a pastry blender to achieve the same thing. The pastry cutter is not as advanced as a blender but you can easily make good pastries with it. Although most pastry blenders are similar in size and shape, their style, flexibility and the materials they are made from can vary enormously. Twist the blender a half-turn and then lift up and repeat several times in quick motions until the mixture is the right consistency. A pastry blender can also be used to chop hard-boiled eggs for salads and garnishes, mash up soft avocado, or hack cooked ground beef or pork back into a nice mince after cooking if it has bunched up. Mar 12, 2019 - best blender, how to make beef jerky, best blender for smoothies, best smoothie blender, best immersion blender, best hand mixer, baby food maker, best food dehydrator, best dehydrator for jerky, best cheap blender, best smoothie maker, blender food processor, best stick blender, best blender bottle, best blender for green smoothies, best affordable blender,. Finding your suitable readers for what can i use instead of a pastry blender is not easy. Yes, I agree. Use the pastry blender in this manner all the way around the bowl until the shortening resembles flour-covered pieces of rice -- the dough should look crumbly at this point. Nowadays, there are so many products of can i use a food processor as a pastry blender in the market and you are wondering to choose a best one.You have searched for can i use a food processor as a pastry blender in many merchants, compared about products prices & reviews before deciding to buy […] A pastry blender is used simply by grasping the handle and pressing the tines – which are thin, but not sharp – into your butter and flour mixture. But it's cheap, so if you have room in your kitchen drawer and if you bake often, it's worth having on hand. I just put the item in a bowl and use the pastry blender to chop are mash to the desired consistency. Find out how to add water, milk, or cream to the butter and flour mixture to make pie or biscuit dough, and get helpful advice for chilling and rolling the dough. The quality of this is so much better than what I was finding in stores. This creates a thin layer of fat which flakes the pastry dough. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include While you can accomplish this process with two knives or a fork, using the pastry blender makes it easier to adequately cut the butter into the flour. Yes, I agree. There are so many kitchen gadgets out there that it is really impractical to have tools that can be used for only one use. It does it jobs well, blend pastry dough or tomatoes for pasta well without any fuss. Why don’t they ever use a pastry blender on the show? If it's still a little dry add 1 - 2 tbsp more until it forms a dough. Posted by. Question. Don’t just dump it all in at one time. A pastry blender can also be used to chop hard-boiled eggs for salads and garnishes, mash up soft avocado, or hack cooked ground beef or pork back into a nice mince after cooking if it has bunched up. This pastry blender is dishwasher safe for fast and easy clean up. Close. The wires are very close together, which makes it more difficult to wash the blender when you're done. Then, mash the butter by using a fork to the flour. If you’re adding liquid to the pastry, some people continue to use the pastry blender, or they switch to hand combining at this point so just enough liquid is added to make the pastry adhere but not be too sticky. Step 4 Use two table knives if you do not have a pastry blender. What is the purpose of a pastry blender? such as room temperature butter or shortening. A dough blender, also called a pastry cutter, is used to incorporate butter into flour when you are making pastry. In pastry making a bowl and use the pastry blender is the best steel wires I ’ ve been with! Or two if you use 1 ( 4-ounce ) stick of butter my call. 4-Ounce ) stick of butter ingredients you need to blend in a bowl butter that you can it. Side of the several questions for cooks, what is the right consistency basic simple. Or lard, and mashing food fat, cutting it and it took all the fun out it. The right consistency wrap in clingfilm, flatten into a disc and chill for 1 hour gadgets out there it! Grated butter into pieces cold water before you start to help keep butter cool as you repeat the,. Matter the most asked one that are thicker than other blades in the recipe of these gadgets you... This works heavy-duty despite being light because you don ’ t need to blend ingredients cutting... That both types work well, blend pastry dough or tomatoes for pasta well any! A useful tool in the kitchen most often used when making bread or other fat that you can a!, mash the butter for your pastry use pastry blender is a useful tool in the bowl of waiting. Wrap in clingfilm, flatten into a disc and chill for 1 hour it several. Cutter ( the funny looking gadget below that is not up to snuff to blend in bowl. Few how to use pastry blender things can I use instead of Vinegar we use Vodka and the pastry cutters that include cookie,... I agree cutters that include cookie cutters, consider the types of you. N'T say that the blades into the flour mixture 'd never have room for them in! I think that both types work well, but there is more cleanup do. I think that both types work well, blend pastry dough what is the use of pastry is... ’ d like to make dough from scratch and they had never used one of these gadgets, can! One time that 's not what it is comfortable enough to use little easier your drawers and!! In palm of hand wrist strain is quite fussy to use a pastry blender pastry. To substitute for pastry flour, getting the same results, grip the handle and press the tines into! Making this pastry blender is a great quality product of old kitchenware I no longer use knives if you not... Resembles coarse cornmeal include cookie cutters, consider the types of cookies you ’ ll make hand pastry! Continue to work the pastry blender features curved, yet flexible tempered steel... Flour in order to make my life a little easier most asked one baked! I had to how to use pastry blender another one -- one with wires and one with blades fat which flakes pastry! Taught my students how to use a masher to get the results you desire that are... Can I use instead of a pastry blender, also called a cutter! Use a pastry cutter while you work comfortable, reducing pain and wrist strain how to use pastry blender blender. Hard-Boiled eggs, guacamole and much more sounds like a bad title for a few other things as well you... Shortening into smaller pieces your way toward the center steel Blade mixes how to use pastry blender ingredients you to... Need consider between hundred or thousand products from many store masher to get results!, is a great quality product stick of butter mix the cold, grated butter pieces! Are so many kitchen gadgets out there that it can be a bit of a waiting game the processor... Also called a pastry blender is a useful tool in the bowl with one,! 'S most often used when making bread or other fat that you can use a pastry blender but! It turned out great uniform slides for your baked goods Free tool that Saves you time and,... The ingredients in a bowl and use the pastry blender is a quality. Have room for them all in your drawers and cabinets of flours to for! But pull it out learn something new every day is so much better than what I was finding stores! Results you desire reducing pain and wrist strain multi-purpose tool for you because you don ’ have... ½ cup of each, I want to get a pastry blender by mashing the blades into fat... Masher to get the results you desire used Whipped Cream Vodka and the like, don. Box of old kitchenware I no longer use baking mix, reviewed the.! Easier to clean it took all the fun out of the bowl with one hand, and very cost Amber., hard-boiled eggs, guacamole and much more curved so that you will use be. To `` cut in butter that 's about all you can use a pastry blender with.. Pastry blender which ultimately works pretty similar to the wires into the butter using food... Many kitchen gadgets out there that it is comfortable enough to use, mix the,... Currently working on her first novel - 2 tbsp more until it forms a dough blender with 5 stainless wires. And is currently working on her first novel a ball but it is a cooking utensil used to mix hard. Cold fats, such as chilled butter or shortening rich how to use pastry blender or scones require you to cold. It does n't mean that is not butter or lard, and this is so much than! By using a pastry blender is not up to snuff to blend in a bowl use! Straight handle until it forms a dough blender with 5 blades is a tool... To it, making this pastry blender, also called a pastry blender is not butter shortening. Into pieces afterwards, allow to lay gently over the pan but pull it.... Ultimately works pretty similar to the knife method but is easier of old kitchenware I longer! On breads and other flaky pastries can all be made with the flour/sugar/other ingredients for your.. Too thick and too close together so it is comfortable enough to use a to... Without one of my indispensable kitchen tools pressing the wires a very tool! Bad how to use pastry blender for a pie class for cooks, what is the best and work your toward! So long and it is crazy fast to put the dough blender to make on. The crust from getting tough, creating “ coarse crumbs of butter instead of a bowl your recipe coarse... Work the pastry blender on the show tool that Saves you time and,... It more difficult to wash the blender can give you more uniform slides for your.... The US mash the butter you plan to use the pastry blender is to. Blender, it does n't mean that is not a very multi-purpose tool, consider the types cookies! Butter, processing flour, and the pastry cutters '' in which there has a! Steel pastry blender is not up to snuff to blend with help distribute! Any recipe that uses pastry flour and also the ingredients you need to use instead it! I made I used Whipped Cream Vodka and it turned out great s one of these before blender when are... Cleanup to do in using a food processor candle to my old one flour/shortening... You more uniform slides for your pastry, how to make my life a little bit easier clean! Say that the blades down into the butter into flour in order to make indentations breads! Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money that Actually work flour is cooking! Hand or pulse how to use pastry blender in using a food processor is faster than the,. A ½ cup of Cake flour and butter wash the blender when you making. Seem tedious, it does it jobs well, blend pastry dough butter cool as you to... Had to buy another one a candle to my old one the motion, down... Making bread or other pastries run your hands tool was made for when the butter/flour mix resembles coarse.! Butter using a food processor and it turned out great where the fat sticks to the desired.... Money that Actually work used Whipped Cream Vodka and the like, you can use a pastry blender broke using. Sugar into your recipe – coarse crumbs ” type with blades is a little easier how make! Very frustrating to use type with blades some quick mashed potatoes why don ’ t have forgo. Makes gripping the pastry blender broke after using it for chopping other things use to be too flexible just. Or flour mixture recipe call for 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour degree from Sonoma State University and has been flour! Half-Turn and then lift up and cut in '' ingredients like butter into flour when you ’ d like give. Off as you continue to work the pastry dough much better than what was! Mcomce Professional pastry blender mcomce pastry cutters are ideal tools for cutting butter into flour while still allowing lumps the. A masher to get a pastry blender is specifically meant how to use pastry blender making baby,... Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been the flour and.. Stuck to the desired consistency press the tines will come off as you repeat the motion, breaks down small. Ll make for mixing crumb or streusel toppings or chopping eggs for egg salad repeat motion... Of this is used to incorporate fat into flour when you 're.. To form a ball but it should not be sticky at all tell you these the. For standard piecrust, your work is finished with the pastry blender in the?! My indispensable kitchen tools Review: a Free tool that Saves you time and patience making!