Bonjour, foodie friends and baking lovers! Today we are going on a wonderful culinary journey to the beautiful French countryside, where we will prepare rustic French pies "galettes".
Galettes they are not only delicious, but also offer a great opportunity to experiment with different flavors and fillings. In the rest of the article, we will explore different types of galettes, and we will share with you our favorite and easiest galette recipe that will surely impress your friends and family.
What is a French Galette Pie?
Galette is a term used in French cuisine to describe different types of flat, round or loose crust cakes. In this post, we will focus on the more versatile and simple version galette pies – a sweet or savory free-form cake made from a buttery, flaky pastry crust and various fillings, from fruit to vegetables and cheeses.
Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and make the tastiest galette ever! Don't worry if you're not a pastry pro - this recipe is super easy and indulgent, and the result will be amazing.
French galette pie
Ingredients
- Ingredients for the crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 4-6 tablespoons of ice water Ingredients for the filling:
- 3 cups sliced fruit or vegetables (such as apples, pears, peaches, tomatoes, or zucchini)
- 1/4 cup sugar (use less if your filling is naturally sweet)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon or other spices (optional)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
Directions
- Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix the dough with a fork until it begins to come together. Be careful not to overwork the dough - it should be slightly crumbly.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently shape it into a disc. Wrap the dough in plastic film and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Heat the oven to 190 °C. In a large bowl, combine the sliced fruit, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract and spices.
- Roll out the cooled dough on a piece of parchment paper into a circle about half a centimeter thick. Transfer the baking paper and dough to the baking tray.
- Spread the filling in the center of the dough, leaving about a 2 centimeter border. Gently fold the edges of the dough up and over the filling, crimping as needed to create a rustic, free-form crust.
- Brush the exposed dough with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar (if using) for a lovely golden appearance and a bit of crunch.
- Bake the galette in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Keep an eye on your galette for the last 10-15 minutes of baking and cover it with aluminum foil if the edges are browning too quickly.
- Remove the galette from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes on the baking sheet. Then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely or serve warm, depending on your preference.
- Slice and enjoy your delicious, homemade galetta with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of caramel sauce for a sweet version. For a savory galette, you can serve it with a fresh salad or a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche.
Voilà! You have now mastered the art of making a simple and versatile galette that can be adapted to any season and any occasion. Bon appétit, friends!
