Hot water crust pasty is dead easy - its probably the simplest and most forgiving pastry there is I've only ever done it using a mould/tin though because I prefer to have thinner pastry than you get on a hand-raised pie.
Choux is also fun - especially as it can be made sweet or savoury.
Now I'm no longer on such a strict diet I'm looking forward to experimenting a bit more
I think choux pastry was on the list before as a possibility for the Cookalong - I've rarely seen anyone here post recipes using choux. I maybe cooked it once years ago (in the 80's!) to make profiteroles. As you say its also a good choice because it can be used sweet or savoury and in vegetarian dishes. So there is lots of scope.
Its also affordable to experiment with!