PUFF PASTE

Take 1 pound of best quality of flour, sifted, 1 pound of good, firm, sweet butter or lard, or equal parts of each; divide the shortening into quarters; take one quarter and chop it fine, and mix it with the flour with a knife, as the warmth from the hands will make the butter soft; then with a small quantity of cold water make into a stiff dough; flour the board, turn out the paste, dredge with flour, and roll thin; then cut another quarter of the shortening into thin slices, and lay on the paste, dredge with flour, fold over the sides, forming a square; then roll again and add another quarter of the shortening, and so continue till all the shortening is rolled in. Handle as little as possible. When done, roll about half inch thick, cut into quarters, place on a plate, and set aside in a cool place for 2 hours. Take only as much as you want for one crust, dredge the board, and roll out, making it thinner at the middle than on the edges, which should be one quarter of an inch thick; grease the pans, lay on the paste, pressing it lightly into form, and trim the edge with a knife; put in the filling, cover with another paste as before, trim and ornament the edges, if desired, and bake in a quick oven.