Apple Galette

This is the easy version of pie; galette!  It also has a higher crust to filling ratio.  So, if you love pastry and hate the work required for pie, this is the dessert for you! Start with the pastry ingredients: flour, fat and ice water (and a pinch of salt).  I use the 3:2:1 ratio 300g flour; 200g EarthBalance and/or coconut oil; 100ml ice water.

Combine the four, salt and fat in a food processor and pulse until combined in a bread crumb consistency.  Then add in the water and pulse just until combined.  Scoop out the dough and press it together in a flattened-ball. Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes. *Coconut oil sets up completely ridged when refrigerated, so getting the temperature just right can be tricky.  Using More EarthBalance can make the dough more workable while it's cold.

While the dough is resting in the 'fridge, peel and thinly slice two or three medium apples.  I used two apples because I really love the tasty pastry - I wanted it to be almost equal in portion to the apples.

Mix the really tasty parts: the sugar and spices.  I like brown sugar and cinnamon to be the primary flavours, but a dash of salt, a bit of nutmeg and vanilla bean created a sublime rounded flavour.  I also used a bit of granulated sugar and cornstarch to help gel any runniness the apple juice might create.  All of this, of course is based on your palate:  I use about 1/2 cup of brown sugar; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon; a pinch of nutmeg and a pinch of salt.  One teaspoon of cornstarch/cornflour and a splash of vanilla work well, too.  I prefer vanilla bean, but, ya know, whatever you got works.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface and - this may be "controversial" - trim the edge.  Most galettes are rustic - that's their essence.  All the same, I like a tidy edge.  I also like to sprinkle a bit of oatmeal on the pastry before adding the apples to make double sure that the juice from the baking apples gets absorbed, rather than making a soupy mess.

Evenly pile the apples across the dough, leaving an inch or two for folding space.  Then carefully work around the circle of dough, folding a few inches inward until the edge is fully formed.  How much dough is used for the fold-over is a personal choice.  Again, I like that chunky pastry so I fold-over a lot!

I keep seeing all my heroes on the Instantgramz using stamped and cut dough.  So, in my attempt to be like the cool kids, I got these autumnal dough stamping/cutter combos.

Bake at 350˚F until the apples are soft and the pastry is browned - about 30-45 minutes.  Allow to cool and dig in! I like to serve mine with nondairy ice cream.  To add a whisper of extra sweetness, drizzle with a good maple syrup.

Vegan - Gluten free Apple Crumble

This is one of my go-to dishes for my vegan and gluten free friends. It's got that classic nut-oat crust and an easy fruit filling.

First, add to the food processor the quick oats, nuts and a bit of salt. Chop until a fine crumbly texture and then add enough water to make a thick paste. Press the dough into a pan - it may be easiest to roll it between parchment first. Trim the dough around the edges to provide a uniform appearance. Bake the crust for about 15 minutes at 400˚F. Remove from the oven and place sliced apples on the dough-lined pan. Sprinkle over top a mix of oats, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Bake for about 30-45 minutes. The dough is quite different from regular flour dough, so keep an eye on it.

If I had to do it again, I'd use more apples. All the same, it's a nice sweet dessert.

Apple Cinnamon Ice Cream [vegan]

Frosty Fall treats!

First, peel and dice a couple apples.  Add them to a skillet with a bit of coconut oil and saute until they have softened.  Set aside and let the apples cool.  Return the skillet to the heat and add a bit of non dairy milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, apple cider, cornstarch and a dash of salt.  Heat the mixture until thickened.  Sweeten with sugar and add chilled non-dairy milk and soy creamer.  Silk makes an excellent creamer.

All the mix to refrigerate until very chilled ~38˚F.  Then pour the liquid mix into an ice cream freezer.  When the ice cream begins to develop, add half the apples.  Just before the freezing process finishes, add the last half.  This keeps them from getting pulverized, allowing for some chunks of apple.

Serve garnished with fresh apple, mint and a stick of cinnamon.

Apple Cobbler

It's apple season!  I kicked off the season with this simple apple cobbler.

I like to use a blend of apples to get nuanced flavour from each cultivar.  Peel, slice and add to a skillet with a bit of oil.  Saute on low heat until they begin to soften.  Add a bit of sugar, cornstarch, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract.  I also added a bit of molasses.  When they're soft, place in a greased cast iron skillet.

I ground a bit of organic red wheat and used it for a basic biscuit dough recipe.  I didn't add any sugar, but probably would next time - sugar helps the dough brown as it bakes.  It's easy to cover the apples with the dough by using a dough scoop to parcel out the topping.

Bake at 350F until the top is done.  I sprinkled a bit of rolled oats on top because oats, brown sugar and cinnamon are amazing together.

Gluten Free Apple and Pear Tarte

The gluten free crust is made from ground almonds, walnuts pecans and oats. Mixed apples and pears, garnished with dried cranberries.

Gluten free and vegan can taste great.