Pink celery!! Just kidding. Rhuuuubarb!

Dumb question… Is rhubarb a vegetable? Wait. I have to go look this up.

…

It is! Okay good. I’m not going (too) crazy… I was pretty sure it was, given that it looks like celery’s pink cousin. ANYWAY, moving on after that little aside…

Spring has officially sprung! Asparagus with dinner last night and rhubarb for dessert (and for breakfast, obviously). Besides the seasonal produce (yay!) literally everything is in bloom right now — my yard looks and smells amazing!

With that in mind, and given that there are a bunch of eating-type holidays this weekend (Eater, I mean.. Easter… I’m looking at you), might I recommend this rhubarb tart? It comes together in a snap and is delicious to boot.

In other news… more drawing! (What else is new)

Springy things!

Keeping it short and sweet today – but do yourself a favor and get on that rhubarb before the season ends! It’s amazing — who doesn’t like pink celery? Just kidding…

I love rhubarb in this galette because it can be it’s true tart self! I find that when it’s paired with strawberry it loses some of it’s punchiness, which is what I like about it — I prefer to let it shine on its own (accompanied by some ice cream, obviously). The almond frangipane keeps it from being overly tart and still desserty, but not too sweet – perfectly acceptable for breakfast alongside obligatory eggs & kale.

Happy spring!

Rhubarb Galette with Almond Frangipane

Grain & gluten free option and refined sugar free. Dairy free option is is probably a breeze – make the dough with cold coconut oil instead of butter. Yield: 1 galette – serves 4-6. Frangipane adapted from the Feed Feed, here.

For the galette dough:

• 1.5 c almond flour (not meal; you want the finer flour variety)
• 1/2 c tapioca flour
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 6 tbsp salted butter, chopped
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

In a food processor or high-power blender (I used a food processor), pulse almond flour, tapioca starch, salt, and butter, and pulse to combine until it looks like coarse meal. Add in egg, coconut sugar, and almond extract and pulse just until combined. Turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap, shape into a disk and chill in the fridge for at least an hour, or up to overnight.

For the frangipane:

• 1/2 c almond flour
• 1/3 c coconut sugar
• 3 tbsp whole wheat pastry flour* (omit for grain free; replace with oat flour or rice flour for gluten free)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 1/3 c roasted unsalted almond butter
• 1-2 tbsp maple syrup (if needed)

In a food processor, combine almond flour, coconut sugar, and whole wheat flour (if using). Pulse once to combine. Add in eggs, vanilla and almond extract, and pulse once or twice, until combined. Add in almond butter, and blend again until smooth. If the frangipane seems too sticky, add 1-2 tbsp of maple to loosen it.

Topping & finishing:

• 5-6 stalks of rhubarb
• coconut sugar
• beaten egg for brushing the dough

Once the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 375. Roll out the dough between two pieces of parchment paper, keeping the circle to about 1/4″ thickness. Peel off the top piece of parchment, and slide the rolled out dough on its parchment onto a baking sheet. Top with the frangipane, spreading it carefully in order to not rip or crack the dough.  Add sliced rhubarb, in whatever pattern you like! Sprinkle with a little coconut sugar. Begin folding up the sides, creasing them together as you go – if the dough is cracking, that’s okay (you can crimp the cracks back together; remember: galettes are forgiving and rustic!); you can use the bottom piece of parchment to help fold up the sides. Brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg and sprinkle a little coconut sugar around the sides. Bake for 35-40 minutes until edges are golden brown — mine came out just fine at 35 minutes, so check accordingly. Let cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then carefully slide the whole galette onto a cooling rack to let it cool completely. Serve with your fave ice cream or whatever of choice! Keeps well covered in foil on the counter; mine didn’t last longer than about 2 days so I can vouch for it at least that long!