INGREDIENTS :

Refined Flour : 100 gms
Fat : 50 gms (cold)
Salt : 1 pinch
Sugar : One pinch (Optional)
Egg yolk : One (Optional)
Vanilla Essence : Two drops
Chilled water : Little

METHOD :

1. Sieve the flour, add the margarine/fat. Cut into small pieces and mix with the fingertips, till the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
2. Add sugar, salt, vanilla and egg yolk and mix well.
3. Add cold water, little by little just to make the pastry bind together. Make a ball lightly with hands. Don't knead too much. Cover with wet cloth. Refrigerate for 30 mins.
4. Roll out the dough on a floured board of 1/8 inches thickness.
5. Arrange in pie dish. Cut the ends with a pasty cutter. Prick with a fork the central base and bake as per individual recipes.