1. The ingredients for the perfect pie crust:1 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup vegetable shortening

2 cups flour

cold water

2. Cut shortening into flour and salt mixture with a fork or pastry blender until crumbs are coarse and granular.

3. Add 3 to 6 tablespoons cold water, a little at a time. Mix quickly and evenly through the flour until the dough just holds together.

4. Roll half the dough to about one-eighth inch thickness. Lift edge of pastry cloth and roll crust onto rolling pin. Line pie pan, allowing one-half inch crust to extend over edge.

5. Add filling. Roll out top crust, making several gashes to allow escape of steam. Place over filling. Allow top crust to overlap lower crust. Fold top crust under the lower and crimp edges.

6. And there is the perfect pie, baked in a moderately hot oven (425~ F) for 35 minutes.