Rules for Washing Butter. Scald and chill an earthen
bowl. Heat palms of hands in hot water, and chill in cold
water. By following these directions, butter will not adhere
to bowl nor hands. Wash butter in bowl by squeezing with
hands until soft and waxy, placing bowl under a cold-water
faucet and allowing water torun. A small amount of butter
may be washed by using a wooden spoon in place of the
hands.
For rolling paste, use a smooth wooden board, and wooden rolling-pin with handles.
Puff paste should be used for vol-au-vents, patties, ris- soles, bouchées, cheese straws, tarts, etc. It may be used for rims and upper crusts of pies, but never for lower crusts. Plain paste may be used where pastry is needed, except for vol-au-vents and patties.
Pufi Paste
1 pound butter 1 pound pastry flour or 14 ozs. bread flour Cold water
Wash the butter, pat and fold until no water flies. Reserve two tablespoons of butter, and shape remainder into a circular piece one-half inch thick, and put on floured board. Work two tablespoons of butter into flour with the tips of fingers of the right hand. Moisten to a dough with cold water, turn on slightly floured board, and knead five minutes. Cover with towel, and let stand five minutes, Pat and roll one-fourth inch thick, keeping paste a little wider than long, and corners square. If this cannot be accomplished with rolling-pin, draw into shape with fingers.
Place butter on centre of lower half of paste. Cover butter by folding upper half of paste over it. Press edges firmly, to enclose as much air as possible.
Fold right side of paste over enclosed butter, the left side under enclosed butter. Turn paste half-way round, cover, and let stand five minutes. Pat, and roll oneifountl inch thick, having paste longer than wide, lifting often to prevent paste from sticking, and dredging board slightly with flour when necessary. Fold from ends towards centre, making three layers. Cover, and let stand five minutes. Repeat
