Virtually Home Made Apple Galette ( Crazy Easy)

Virtually Homemade Apple Galette

I call this a "virtually" homemade Apple Galette because I think that it’s important to have complete transparency. I don't want anyone reading this blog to look at my pictures and think "wow, I wish I could make that." Nope, the recipes I make here are for the most part simple, I use everyday ingredients and I make food that I actually enjoy eating. I call this recipe “virtually" homemade because I used store brought dough for the crust. I was going to say semi homemade but I wasn't sure if that term was copy righted if you watch the Food Network then you know what I’m referring to. I call it a "galette" because I like the way it sounds, doesn't the word being to mind French pastries? Let’s be honest we could all use more thoughts about French pastries. I'll stop waxing poetic about pastries and get to what you came for... food

Virtually Home Made Galette

The very best picture I could get before I dived in head first I  sliced a piece and ate it in a dignified manner.

Ingredients

3 Medium- Large Apples (I used two Gala and one Granny Smith)

1 Store Brought Pie Crust (I used the Pillsbury version that comes from the refrigerated section the store, same area you get biscuits in. Two come in the box you only need one for this recipe)

1/3 Cup of sugar (I used cane sugar, but white or brown would work as well

½ of the juice of lemon

½ Teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1/8 Teaspoon of ground nutmeg

½ Teaspoon of vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

1 Tablespoon of cornstarch (I didn't have on hand so I substituted with all-purpose flour)

Melted Butter (to brush on pie shell)

1 egg (for egg wash)

*Take your pie crust out of the freezer about a hour before you are actually ready to bake, it takes a while to defrost enough for you to unroll it.

Utensils

Baking sheet

Parchment Paper

Directions

1.     Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.     Wash, peel, and thinly slice your apples.

3.     In a bowl combine apples, sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt, then gently stir to mix thoroughly. Set aside. 

4.     In a cup squeeze ½ of lemon, dissolve your tablespoon of cornstarch/flour into the lemon juice and stir to remove lumps. Pour and stir this mixture in with apples. Set aside 

5.     Tear a piece of parchment paper large enough to hold your galette, unroll your pie crust on to the parchment paper, once you get the pie crust completely unrolled unto the parchment paper place it unto a baking sheet.

6.     Here you can take creative license; you can either gently arrange the apples slices in a circular pattern to achieve a more refined look or dump the apples into the middle of the crust for a more rustic look. Either way leave about a inch of dough free from apples to have room to form your crust.

7.     Hold the dough between your index and   thumb on one hand and fold it over the index finger of your other hand. The idea is to create a twisted pattern.

8.     Prepare your egg wash. Take one egg and combine it with a 1 tablespoon of cold water, mix thoroughly.

9.     Brush you’re the crust of your uncooked galette dough with the egg wash, then sprinkle crust with sugar.

10. Place into preheated oven and bake at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes, turn hallway through.  ( I started to check for doneness at 40 minutes in the oven)

11.  Pull your galette from the oven and immediately brush with melted butter.

Feel free serve your galette with ice cream, and a bit of caramel sauce for a sundae like experience. I made this dessert during a week night. I went to the store earlier in the day and there was a sale on apples and since it is Fall/ Autumn I figured they would be at the peak of freshness and perfect for baking. What are some of your favorite fall desserts?  Do you find yourself wishing baking was easier? Are there any dishes that you prepare that are “virtually” homemade? Comment below. I would love to hear from you.

Lemon-pepper Sauteed Tilapia

When you want something quick, light and filling...

October is a busy month at my house there are a bunch of birthday celebrations going on among other festive occasions. So we have had quite a few dinners and lunches out and many treats were eaten. Which is perfectly fine in my book but I always stress balance so this week we are trying to eat a little healthier this at my house. Which is there this inspiration for this meal came form.

Cook Time: 25- 30 minuets 

Ingredients:

Tilapia filet ( or whichever fish you prefer) 

Fresh or frozen green beans ( or whichever green vegetable you prefer)

Whole wheat pasta

Garlic

 Two Tomatoes (diced) 

Fresh lemon

Thyme

Basil

Olive Oil

Salt

Lemon-pepper seasoning 

Prep:

Lemon pepper Tilapia:

1. Rinse tilapia fillets in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season both sides of each fillet with salt and lemon pepper seasoning.

2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; cook the tilapia in the hot oil until the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 4 minutes per side. Give the fish a squeeze of lemon. Serve immediately.

Pasta with Tomatoes & Garlic:

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions, in a separate pan saute diced tomatoes, and garlic in a table for two to three minute over medium heat.

2. Add your cooked pasta to the pan, tossed pasta in pan add enough olive oil to light coat the pasta. Make sure to thoroughly mix contents, the salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Green beans with garlic (using fresh or frozen green beans)

1. Boil for steam your beans for about 5 minutes, you want them to be cooked with out loosing their bite. In a separate pan heat two tablespoons of olive oil then add chopped garlic. 

2. Drain your beans then add them to the pan with the garlic.Toss the beans in the olive oil and garlic for about 5 minuets or just long enough to cook the remain water out of them. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

The meal was light, delicious, quick, and extremely satisfying.

xx.Toya