Apple and Cranberry Galette 11/12/2010
 The nights begin sooner now. The world grows dark as we trudge or bound home from our jobs, from our schools. The nights are colder now. The humidity and heat of Texas drifts into mere memory. I come home to make dinner, to read, to bake a loaf of bread or a pan of brownies. Ryan and I like to talk in our kitchen as we throw together a macaroni and cheese casserole, as I boil yet another pot of edamame beans. I come home to collect my thoughts, to form my stories, to play with words. I come home to be with the person that I love. And on Sunday night, after walking through South Congress, I came home to friends and this apple & cranberry tart. We sat around our living room, taking bites of caramelized apples and plump cranberries. We talked about the pains and the joys of being alive in this present day. Sofie brought Blue Bell Ice Cream, which is hands down the best ice cream to serve with any type of pie. The perfectly round scoops melted on top of each slice, and we let the melted cream coat the cool silver of our forks and spoons. I don't know if food can fix many problems. But I do know that an apple tart can make one fall evening pretty magical.  Pies are hands-down my favorite dessert. To me, there is nothing better than a buttery pastry and a perfectly sweetened fruit filling. But pies are not always the prettiest things to photograph, and since I blog, I consider this...often. However, tarts and galettes are quite different. They are the elegant and beautiful sister of pie. They are poised and ready for every shot. I'll admit that this was the primary reason I made a galette over a pie. But after tasting the filling, I was happy that I only had to contend with one layer of butter pastry. The apples and the cranberries were so flavorful that anything more would have diluted my pleasure. This would be a perfect addition to your holiday dessert menu. Does anything seem more like fall or winter than apples and cranberries? The apples are a cooked in honey, orange juice and sugar until softened. The cranberries are then allowed to stew until a sweet and thick sauce develops. Pouring the fruit into the middle of your rolled out pastry is a pleasure of its own. I made this pie earlier in the day, and we didn't serve it until later in the evening. After sitting on our counter for several hours, it tasted like any pie or galette should...just heavenly.  Apple and Cranberry Galette *Adapted from Annie's Eats 1 recipe all butter pastry, refrigerated 2 lb. Granny Smith apples (4 large), peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch pieces 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 2 tbsp. honey 1 tbsp. orange juice ½ tsp. ground cinnamon 3/4 cups fresh cranberries 1 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into thin slices Sugar, for dusting 1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and a line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. 2. Prepare your filling: In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, water, honey, orange juice and cinnamon. Heat, stirring often, until sugar has dissolved. Add apples and simmer until softened and opaque, about 5-7 minutes. Remove apples from pan with a slotted spoon, reserving juices in pan. 3. Add cranberries to pan and simmer until they begin to pop and the liquid thickens, about 2-3 minutes. 4. Combine apples and cranberries in a medium bowl, stir until berries are evenly distributed. 5. On a lightly floured, roll out your refrigerated pie dough to a 12 inch circle. Transfer your circle to your prepared baking sheet and spoon filling in the center, leaving a 1-2 inch border. Fold the border over the filling, pleating the edges to form a broad rim. Lay the thin slices of butter over the fruit and dust the crust with raw sugar. 6. Bake in preheated oven until pastry is a light golden brown and the fruit has softened, about 30-40 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature before serving. Always, Monet Anecdotes and Apple Cores **I have entered this galette into a lovely Thanksgiving contest hosted by All Through the Year Ch CommentsThere really is nothing more comforting than a warm slice of pie (or galette!) with half-melted vanilla ice cream oozing over the top. It really does scream fall -- especially a pie like this with cranberries and apples. I imagine it would actually be nice for Thanksgiving too! I've never been much of a pumpkin pie girl. Would much rather have the gooey, sweet fruit filling in there instead. :) nisha thomas 11/12/2010 5:22am
I love how rustic it looks...yep temp have dropped like crazy here as well 11/12/2010 7:29am
Ooh galettes are so fun to make! This looks awesome and perfect for the season. 11/12/2010 8:11am
Your photos always look beautiful. Hopefully one day we'll be able to meet in person enjoy a cup of tea and pie or galette or some other treat. I sometimes think of how funny it is that we bloggers have made so many far away friends. Hope you are well, Monet. 11/12/2010 8:51am
You're not wrong, Monet. That is one photogenic galette! Love the bright pop of color against the rustic crust. And I bet it's even prettier with a scoop of Blue Bell melting on top! If you get a chance, can you figure out how to ship me some of that at your convenience? It's one of those Texas things that makes a NY girl pine for home. 11/12/2010 9:23am
Mmmmmm that looks so good. And I SO agree with you, Blue Bell ice cream is the BEST! I swear I ate way too much of that ice cream when I lived in Florida. Would you mind if I ate all the filling out of the galette? :) 11/12/2010 9:34am
Monet 11/12/2010 9:40am
This is absolutely gorgeous, Monet. Galettes are among my all-time favorite desserts. In fact, I just made an apple one last week that I'm dying to share. Thank you for sharing this, and I'm glad to hear that the heat and humidity of Texas are taking a backseat to some normal fall/winter weather! :) 11/12/2010 9:48am
November 11 is my birthday and I am just going to assume you made this galette in honor! Thanks. GREG 11/12/2010 9:48am
Beautiful!! I just bought some little tart pans--this looks like the perfect recipe for them! Thanks, dear! 11/12/2010 11:23am
Your galette really is beautiful, as is the image of friends sitting together enjoying it. 11/12/2010 11:30am
You are making me want to go through a galette in the oven right now! I get so excited when I see the fresh cranberries come to the market! For us it's the signal, fall is here! Glad you had loved ones around you to share it with! 11/12/2010 12:33pm
Oh that looks delicious (and simple...especially if I cheat and use a store bought pastry dough)! I saw fresh cranberries at the store for the first time the other day and am SO eager to buy some and use them. :) 11/12/2010 12:36pm
How do you bake so much and stay so thin!!!! Seriously... how? I need to know your secret. 11/12/2010 2:01pm
Mmmm Blue Bell ice cream. It's so good. Love this galette. So very rustic. 11/12/2010 3:55pm
This is SO pretty...I'm in charge of an alternate Thanksgiving dessert. ILs are bringing a pumpkin pie, but I want to have an alternative that's NOT pumpkin. This could be perfect...apples are my husband's favorite! 11/12/2010 4:07pm
This looks delicious! I love the use of orange juice too, that would add so much flavor! 11/12/2010 4:23pm
It is funny how the blog controls what we choose to make and eat sometimes. Your galette looks wonderful and I agree, it would be perfect with that runny ice cream. :) 11/12/2010 4:38pm
Your Galette looks delicious! I love how it is 'free form' and what better way to eat it then with friends. 11/12/2010 5:15pm
How pretty! I've never tried a galette, but this is inspiring me. My husband will try any dessert that's surrounded by pastry crust and has a scoop of ice cream on top. ;-) 11/12/2010 6:47pm
Perfection. I have a bag of cranberries that are also waiting to be a part of a crostada.. I can't wait to make it! and if it looks anything like yours then its going to be wonderful But tonight its croissant preparation and wedding cakes :) 11/12/2010 7:27pm
I really need to make a galette soon. Yours look and sounds mouth watering. I wish we didn't have this time change every year. We're like the only country that practices this. 11/12/2010 7:30pm
hey lovely! 11/12/2010 8:21pm
Love your free form pie. You just solved my dessert dilemma for a supper we're invited to. Thanks for sharing. 11/12/2010 9:58pm
The way the cranberries stain the apples is as fetching as a blushing bonnie lass! 11/12/2010 10:25pm
I've always made pies but this seems easier, more relaxed. Galette will be on my to-do list next. The filling sounds really good too. 11/12/2010 10:29pm
i have never had a galette *blushing* but I certainly want to now that I've seen you and Chef D make one. Food may not solve any problems, but it brings us together, and gives our hearts and hands a chance to wrap around another's soul...there is an intimacy that is shared in that setting that simply cannot be duplicated. 11/12/2010 10:40pm
You make this look gorgeous! I think food has more power than we give it credit for. It connects people, and the time we spend with people solves problems, even if they seem like temporary fixes. This does look like the perfect dessert to share this holiday season...thank you! 11/12/2010 11:40pm
Apples are in full abundance now and this is such a wonderful idea of making some apple sweets. Thank you, Monet, for another delicious treat. Monet, this galette looks delectable. i was just recently introduced to galletes through denise's blog over at quickies on the dinnertable. i tried out her recipe and am now in love with galettes. yours sounds so good with apples and cranberries. what a perfect combo. i love how the colour of the cranberries bring the dish to life. yummers on this dish! 11/13/2010 5:50am
Monet, never tried galette before... I am going to try this recipe. Lovely photos and post as always! Monet, you have such a way with words ... I felt like I was sitting there with all of you, talking about life and food and being together :) I know you said that pies are hard to photograph, bit I bet you could do it! Even if galettes are comparable showoffs to the camera ;) I think when we appreciate food and learn to savor its taste and appearance, food can be healing when shared with family and friends. Beautiful recipe, Monet! 11/13/2010 8:38am
I must make this Monet! Thanksgiving dessert is usually the one dish I say people can bring when they offer, but I may have to change that now. I completely agree with you about the elegance of the galette. — Allison 11/13/2010 9:11am
You're right--there's nothing more wonderful than a seasonal dessert during the fall and winter. Apples and cranberries remind me of Christmas Eve at my parents' house :) 11/13/2010 10:55am
Such a beauty Monet, I don't know but I think a bite of this deliciousness could fix a lot of problems;) 11/13/2010 5:08pm
woah, I just fell in love with your writing and your recipe all at once. 11/13/2010 7:30pm
Cranberries and apples are a great combination- this galette sounds lovely! I do dislike that it gets dark so early now- treats like this help to lift the gloomy evening! 11/13/2010 9:17pm
I would love to have a slice of this... 11/13/2010 9:17pm
I love making galettes...sweet or savory. This looks wonderful! I hope you have a peaceful weekend with your love. 11/14/2010 9:44am
Oh, my, Monet-You have just solved the Thanksgiving dessert dilemna...at least 1, out of 2, or 3 that we uaually make for Thanksgiving. 11/14/2010 11:07am
Looks like a perfect way to celebrate a cool evening. Great mix of flavors and textures. Nicely done, Monet! Didn't make it for this weekend; definitely next! 11/14/2010 4:10pm
I just may make a galette for Thanksgiving instead of an apple pie. I love the simplicity and rustic appeal and this one is perfect - love the cranberries! Jessie -- The Messie Kitchen 11/15/2010 5:13am
I love this dish...you are so right- there is nothing more seasonal than plump cranberries and spicy apples. this galette reminds me of a simmering pot of cider. Oh it looks so wonderful! and (good) food, to me, can certainly do wonders for any day. Add a handful of friends a la mode and you've got yourself quite the night. 11/15/2010 10:27am
So you eat edamame by choice? :) I've never acquired the taste. 11/20/2010 3:04am
At present, biotechnology company is not the weak copartner to pharmaceutical enterprises, but the entity with infinite potential and opportunity. 11/20/2010 10:40am
Monet, Love just love this apple cranberry galette and I usually don;t make galette although a friend of mine is crazed about it. I can almost taste the apple with the cranberries and the dough. Beautiful job!! Happy Thanksgiving! 05/23/2011 10:41pm
Once you want to do it better, you can set your effort to it , and do not think more about the fail. Be confidence to yourself. 12/01/2011 12:42pm
Comforting as always, your baking is simple and charming and your words sweet and honest. I made muffins this week - for the first time ever- I am not a baker, but I looked at several of your recipes for guidance and tips. Thank you for keeping up the positive tone and sweet treats. XO Leave a Reply | 
|
RSS Feed
