Hardcore Hobbit Pie Crust

So, in LOTRO the recipe for pie crust is spring barley flour and egg. Well, laying aside the barley flour in favour of my unbleached flour, the only recipe I can think of that would involve egg in a pie crust is a Muerbeteig crust. Don’t worry, it’s easier to make than it is to say or spell. Its a nice german egg crust I have enjoyed in the past while visiting switzerland. It makes a nice pie or tart crust. The nicest thing about it is the simplicity of the formula…just 1,2,3. One part sugar, two parts butter, and three parts flour. The rest is just flavouring really. It just makes sense for a hobbit to be using such a charming european recipe so off I went!

• 1 cup flour
• 2 tbl confectioners sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbl lemon juice
• 6 tbl light cooking margarine
• cooking spray

1. Combine flour and sugar in a bowl and form a well.
2. Add the yolk, vanilla, and lemon juice. Combine in the well and slowly work in some of the flour.
3. Add the margarine and work with your hands until it forms a ball and no longer sticks to your fingers.
4. Refrigerate for one hour.
5. Roll out the dough to desired thickness. I go for anything between 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch. Cut shapes for tarts or use as a pie crust trimming excess after you have settled it into your greased pie pan.
6. Bake at 400F for 10-15 minutes.

Makes one pie shell or 9 tarts. Each tart shell is 87 calories, 3.3 grams of fat and .4 grams of fibre. Much less than your standard pie crust per serving. While this is great for pie I highly recommend this for tart shells since portion control is just plain easier. What hobbit doesn’t enjoy a bunch of small tarts anyways? Dainty num that is full of epic win.