Step 1 In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar and salt. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers.
Step 2 In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and vanilla. Work the egg mixture into the flour mixture just until it resembles cornmeal. Stir in ice water, a tablespoon at a time, just until the dough holds together.
Step 3Form the dough into a disk and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
Step 4Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Remove the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out until it is just over 13 inches in diameter. Fit the dough into an 11-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Trim the dough so it is flat with the top of the tart pan, then line and fill the shell with pie weights or beans.
Step 5Blind bake the tart shell until set, about 20 minutes. Remove the pie weights and set the shell on a rack to cool.