Pâte brisée - Pie pastry, a basic recipe from the Worldwide Gourmet

Ingredients

• - 500 ml (2 cups) sifted all-purpose flour
• - 190 ml (3/4 cup) shortening or lard
• - A pinch of salt (optional)
• - 4-5 tbsp. ice water
• - 625 ml (2 1/2 cups) sifted all-purpose flour
• - 200 g (7/8 cup) butter
• - 1 egg
• - 1-2 tbsp. ice water