A question about a recipe: Sausage and Kale Dinner Tart

What does it mean to "dock the dough with a fork"? (step 10) I'm a newbie at pastries--I usually stick to rustic freeform tarts so I don't have to worry about such things ;) Excited to make this recipe for an upcoming Food52 party!

Ms. T
  • Posted by: Ms. T
  • November 3, 2011
  • 15492 views
  • 4 Comments
Sausage and Kale Dinner Tart
Recipe question for: Sausage and Kale Dinner Tart

4 Comments

boulangere
boulangere November 3, 2011
When you "dock" dough with a fork or a docking tool (picture a roller about 3" wide and studded with spikes, attached to a handle), you're creating vents through which steam created by heating the water and the butter in your dough can escape. If the dough isn't docked, steam builds up within and underneath it causing large blisters that can actually break open, leaving a rift in the dough, and even a potential hole if you attempt to press it down after it has hardened.
 
Ms. T.
Ms. T. November 3, 2011
Ohhh...got it! I'd never heard the "dock" part before. Thanks for clearing that up!
 
MaryMaryCulinary
MaryMaryCulinary November 3, 2011
Stab it with a fork! As Droplet said, it keeps it from rising and bubbling. Enjoy the tart!
 
Droplet
Droplet November 3, 2011
Just means to randomly poke the dough with the tines of a fork. It's done in order to keep the dough flat and prevent large blisters from forming.
 
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