BASIC PIE CRUST

2 cups flour, sifted, ¼ cup lard, 1tablespoon salt, ¼   cup ice water

Sift flour at least 3 times then measure.  Add salt, mix in with a fork.  Add lard and cut in coarsely with a pastry blender or your fingers.  Sprinkle in water a little at a time and mix lightly with a fork until all the flour is dampened.  Form into a ball and press together firmly.  Turn out onto a lightly floured surface.  Roll out thinly then transfer the crust to the rolling pin.  Transfer the crust from the rolling pin to the pie pan. Makes two 8 ½-inch pie crust.