Rustic Nectarine And Blackberry Crostata With Cornmeal Crust Recipes

SUMMER FRUIT CROSTATA

Steps:

• For the pastry:
• Place the flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse a few times to combine. Add the butter and toss quickly (and carefully!) with your fingers to coat each cube of butter with the flour. Pulse 12 to 15 times, or until the butter is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water all at once through the feed tube. Keep hitting the pulse button to combine, but stop the machine just before the dough comes together. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured board, roll it into a ball, cut in half, and form into 2 flat disks. Wrap the disks in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. If you only need 1 disk of dough The other disk of dough can be frozen.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll the pastry into an 11-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Transfer it to the baking sheet.
• For the pastry (makes 2 crostatas) .
• For the filling:
• Cut the peaches and plums in wedges and place them in a bowl with the blueberries. Toss them with 1 tablespoon of the flour, 1 tablespoon of the sugar, the orange zest, and the orange juice. Place the mixed fruit on the dough circle, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border.
• Combine the 1/4 cup flour, the 1/4 cup sugar, and the salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Pour into a bowl and rub it with your fingers until it starts to hold together. Sprinkle evenly over the fruit. Gently fold the border of the pastry over the fruit, pleating it to make an edge.
• Bake the crostata for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is golden and the fruit is tender. Let the crostata cool for 5 minutes, then use 2 large spatulas to transfer it to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

RUSTIC NECTARINE AND RASPBERRY CROSTATA WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• To prepare the crust: Combine first 5 ingredients in food processor and whiz for 5 seconds to blend.
• Add butter, and pulse until butter is pea size.
• Add 1/3 cup ice water and pulse until dough forms moist clumps.
• Add more water by teaspoon fulls if too dry.
• Gather dough into ball, flatten into disc, wrap in plastic and chill for at least one hour.
• Can be made 1 day ahead.
• Let dough sit a few minutes, then roll on lightly floured sheet of parchment paper to a 14 inch round, turning occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Slide a rimless baking sheet under parchment and place disc in fridge for 30 minutes.
• To make Filling: Stir sugar and cornstarch to blend.
• Mix in fruit and vanilla.
• Let stand until juices are released, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Transfer baking sheet with dough to work surface and let stand for 8 minutes.
• Spoon fruit and juices into center of dough, making a even 10 inch diameter.
• Brush a 2 inch border of dough with egg.
• Lift about 2 inches of dough border and pinch to form vertical seam.
• Pinching every two inches.
• See photo- middle six inches of fruit should remain uncovered.
• Brush folded border with egg and sprinkle with raw sugar.
• Place baking sheet with tart in oven.
• Bake until crust is golden and fruit is bubbling, about 55 minutes.
• Remove from oven and transfer with large spatula to cooling rack.
• Brush fruit with heated preserves.
• Cool 45 minutes.
• Serve warm, or at room temperature.
• A dollop of creme fraiche or vanilla ice cream goes very nicely with a slice of this.