Apples, squared

Hi Friends, happy almost Thanksgiving!

Boy, November went fast. It seems like I blinked and it’s nearly December, what?! I enjoy this time of year and wish it didn’t whizz by quite so quickly. Oh well, nothing to do but live in the moment! I love the transition to winter produce – I have yet to buy pomegranates (waiting for the dumb things to go on sale) but everything else is fully on  my radar, especially apples.

Did a great hike up to Twin Peaks today – it’s been awhile since I’ve done that one, and it was great to get back up there… even though I discovered about halfway through that my legs were/are extremely fried from a few really good lifting days this week. I think I’ll be taking tomorrow off… though knowing me, I’m sure I’ll walk to work because heaven forbid I sit still all day, ugh.

C and I had a great time last night with a board game that matched the aesthetics of this galette – we had a good laugh when we realized how coordinated things were (Between Two Cities is the game – super fun, just in case any of my board gaming peeps out there are looking for a new-to-you game).

Of course we ate it for breakfast too – I know, I know, try to contain your astonishment. Suuuuper good alongside a giant breakfast salad with eggs & caponata.

I’ve been wanting to use miso in a dessert for quite awhile at this point, so I’m super glad this ended up working out. I can feel a galette kick coming on – they are so infinitely adaptable to seasonality of produce and various flavors. Miso adds just a little hint of savory oomf to the almond filling of this one – you don’t taste it and automatically think miso soup hahaa; in fact, I don’t really notice it, but I LOVE the filling taste. C was right there with me so I’d say it’s a winner. There was only a small piece left for a snack later when I left, ha! Success.

Hit me up if you have desserty Thanksgiving questions! I’m happy to weigh in, if you’re feeling indecisive or otherwise uninspired. I’m baking for at least two dinners this year – one for my actual Thanksgiving with C’s fam, and a Friendsgiving two days later. I’m not planning on making pumpkin pie for either one – stay tuned ;)

I’m loving tulips right now, as you can see – this picture below reminds me of 17th century Dutch Golden Age vertias still life paintings! Where the flowers are past their prime but still beautiful in their own way:

Happy early Thanksgiving! I’m sure I’ll be posting what I make but more likely than not it’ll be after the fact. Have a great short week!

Apple and Black Sesame Galette with Almond Miso Frangipane

A perfect fall galette – easy dessert or brunch! The miso is very subtle if you’re at all worried about tasting it – you really don’t; it just gives the filling a slight savory oompf. Grain and gluten free, refined sugar free; lactose free option. Yield: 1 galette, serves several.

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
1/4 c black sesame seeds
6 tbsp salted butter, chopped (or ghee)
1 egg**
1 tbsp vanilla extract

*alternately you can use a flax egg with very similar results (3tbsp water + 1 tbsp ground flaxseed)

In a food processor or high-power blender (I used a food processor), pulse almond flour, tapioca starch, salt, sesame seeds and butter to combine until it looks like coarse meal. Add in egg and vanilla 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 filling:
4 apples, sliced thinly (I used Granny Smith and Lady Alice for fun color contrast)
1/3 almond butter
1 tbsp brown rice miso
pinch of sea salt
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 egg

In a small bowl, whisk together almond butter, sea salt, miso, vanilla, maple and egg until smooth. Set aside.

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 almond butter-miso filling in the center, leaving a border of dough around the edges, and add the apples. Begin folding up the sides, creasing them together as you go – if the dough rips, 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.

Dot the apples with butter and sprinkle dough with a little coconut sugar. 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 or in the fridge.