The weekend before we left for New York City I was busy running errands and packing. I was pretty much a bad woman, but I luckily set away some time to bake a special dessert for Labor Day. Since we’re technically nearing the end of summer, I wanted to make another dessert that incorporated stone fruit. Peaches, nectarines and plums are some favorites! It’s been on my summer list to make a pie, but since I didn’t quite have enough time for that, I thought a crostata or galette would be perfect! This recipe was perfect for my busy weekend schedule and it was a hit with Taste Tester #1 (Matthew)!
Summer Plum Galette from Food & Wine August 2012
INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick cold unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
1/4 cup ice water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1 pound firm-but-ripe plums, pitted and cut into eighths
1 large egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon of water
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick cold unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
1/4 cup ice water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1 pound firm-but-ripe plums, pitted and cut into eighths
1 large egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon of water
DIRECTIONS
In a food processor, add the 1 1/4 cups of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar and the salt and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle on the ice water and pulse until the dough just barely comes together. Gather the dough and pat it into a disk. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 425 and position a rack in the lower third. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Working on a lightly floured surface, roll out the disk of dough to a 12-inch round; transfer to the baking sheet. Chill the dough until firm, 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of sugar with the cornstarch, cinnamon and orange zest. Add the plums and toss well. Let stand, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is mostly dissolved, about 15 minutes.
Arrange the fruit in the center of the dough, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border all around. Fold the edge of the dough up and over the plums. Brush the rim with the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake the plum crostata for about 50 minutes, until the crust is golden and the fruit is tender and bubbling. Let the crostata cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes, then cut into wedges and serve.
MAKE AHEAD The pastry disk can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
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The great thing about this recipe is that you can easily substitute another fruit if you wanted. You could even combine a few! Do you have a favorite fruit for pies and galettes?
xox
oh and the rolling pin is from Anthropologie
