Apple, Pear & Cranberry Crostata
First things first. Happy Election Day! I hope everyone is voting today no matter who you choose to vote for. Second, I hope everyone stayed safe and dry last week through hurricane Sandy. What a storm! I decided to play things safe and worked from home that day, even though my office was open for […]
By Jen Perez|Nov 06 2012|
Apple, Pear, Cranberry Crostata
Credit: Jen PerezApple, Pear, Cranberry Crostata
Credit: Jen PerezCredit: Jen Perez For starters, it has seasonal fruit in it! Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year to bake. I wish it was the fall baking season all year long. Second, I had all of the ingredients on hand. I love it when that happens. No quick run to the store to grab just one ingredient. No waiting until the weekend to make a recipe. I can just fulfill my urges and make it right away.
Fruit filling on freshly rolled crust.
Credit: Jen PerezCredit: Jen Perez And last, I needed a dessert to contribute to a get together I was going to. You see, a bunch of my friends all live within a few block of my place. Since we were all working from home last Monday, we got a little stir crazy. We decided to get together in the early evening for some games and dinner. After an intense day of working from home, catching up on storm updates, checking in on friends and family from across the East Coast, my friends and I had a relaxing fun-filled evening together. Everyone really enjoyed this crostata and I came home with only one piece leftover. I served it with freshly whipped cream. Vanilla ice cream would be another great option here. The crust is flaky and light, a perfect vehicle for the fruity filling. The apples and pears mingle together nicely, providing a subtle contrast in taste and texture. But those cranberries are what really make this crostata special. I was worried that there wouldn’t be enough of a cranberry flavor when I read the recipe, but it turns out I was wrong. There are just enough cranberries to add a punch of tartness that balances out the sweetness from the other fruits.
Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Crostata
Credit: Jen PerezCredit: Jen Perez One of my friends even picked up on the aroma of the orange zest in the filling. I have a tip for you about using citrus zests in baked goods like this. Any time that you’re mixing a citrus zest with sugar, combine the two in a small bowl and use your hands to rub them together. By using your hands, you’ll release the oils from the zest that provide the flavor. It will dispurse the flavor from the zest throughout the sugar and thus throughout the entire dish. It is a simple step that provides a big payoff.
Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Crostata ready for the oven.
Credit: Jen Perez
I’ve gotten this recipe from my sister and have been making it for a few years now….I guess being the youngest, I get to be my sister’s memory….she could not remember if this recipe made 1 or 2 pies tarts….lol….love her just the same !!!
YUM! This looks gorgeous, Jen! Glad you were able to stay safe during Sandy and get in some baking to boot! Also thanks for that tip about the zest and sugar! I bet that makes a huge difference — will be trying that one!