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To make pastry:
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1) Stir flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl with a whisk or fork.
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2) Add butter pats. Blend in butter until texture resembles coarse corn meal. To do this you can use a fork, pastry blender or your hands. (I started with a pastry blender, but switched to my hands - worked much better.)
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3) Add ice water 1 Tablespoon at a time, mixing with your hands between each addition, until dough clumps together. You may use 3- 4 Tablespoons - it varies depending on the temperature and texture of your butter, moisture in the air, etc.
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4) Divide dough into two balls. Wrap them in plastic wrap and chill at least one hour.
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To make filling:
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1) While pastry is chilling out, make your filling. Combine all filling ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes; it may come to a soft boil - just be sure to stir often.
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2) Taste - if needed, add another Tablespoon of sugar. Once strawberries are soft (and sufficiently sweet!) remove from heat and let cool completely.
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3) Before using, take a fork or potato masher and smash strawberries until pulpy. Set aside.
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To make pastries:
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1) Remove one ball of dough from fridge and remove wrapping. On a slightly floured surface, carefully roll dough. It is easier to work with if you keep thickness between 1/8 and 1/4 inch.
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2) Using a pizza cutter or knife, cut into 3-inch wide strips. Then cut across the strips to make rectangles - mine were approximately 4 x 3 inches. (I contemplated breaking out my biscuit cutters and making round pastries! This will be my method next time as it would be faster!)
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3) Spoon 2 Tablespoons of filling in the middle of pastry sections; lift a rectangle and place on top of filling, being careful not to split the dough or smoosh your filling out the sides!
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4) Press edges with fingers to seal, then press with a fork. 5) Transfer to a baking sheet coated with non-stick spray.
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*Bake pastries for 15 minutes at 375 degrees - until edges are slightly browned and pastry is crisp.
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* Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 3-5 minutes before removing and placing on wire cooling rack. You can dust with powdered sugar once cooled. Or make a simple powdered sugar glaze and drizzle on top... which is what I did!
