Shoe Pastry Recipe (Choux Pastry)

Choux (pronounced "shoe") pastry, or puff pastry, is the basis of a number of great pastry delicacies, including cream puffs (profiteroles), eclairs, and some types of turnovers (others use phyllo dough).

Here's a simple recipe you can use:

Choux Pastry Recipe

• 1 2/3 cup flour
• 4 ounces butter
• 3 drops of lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• cold water

Directions:

1. Sieve the flour and salt into a bowl.
2. Add the lemon juice and the butter sliced into 1/2" slices.
3. Add enough cold water to bind the ingredients together.
4. Turn onto a floured board, and roll the pastry into a long strip.
5. Fold in thirds (like a triptych), and press the edges together.
6. Half turn the pastry, rib it with the rolling pin to gently press out the air bubbles, and again roll it into a strip.
7. Fold in thirds again and repeat this process until the pastry has had four rolls, folds and half-turns.

If you're a visual learner, take a look at this great step-by-step recipe with pictures.