Christmas

Heirloom Apple Galette, Fennel Caramel

by:
December 17, 2011
0
0 Ratings
Photo by Steven Krause
  • Serves 6
Author Notes

From the girl & the fig's new book, PLATS DU JOUR; the girl & the fig's Journey Through the Seasons in Wine Country.
Several varieties of apples work brilliantly in this galette: Rome Beauty, William’s Pride, Crispin, and Gravenstein are our favorites. Many apples are interchangeable, but some are just right for eating while others are better suited for baking. For a savory twist, we added fennel seed to the caramel. To really gild the lily, serve the galette with caramel gelato and a pinch of Maldon Sea Salt.
Serve with a Tawny Port or a Madeira. —figteam

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Heirloom Apple Gallete
  • 1/2 cup brandy
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 star anise
  • 3 large apples
  • 1 puff pastry (sheet 10 x 15-inch or sized to make six 3-inch rounds
  • 1 large egg
  • Fennel Caramel
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon fennel seed, toasted and ground
Directions
  1. Heirloom Apple Gallete
  2. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  4. Combine the brandy, sugar, and 1½ cups water in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
  5. Add the lemon, cinnamon, star anise, and apples and simmer until the apples are tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  6. Remove the apples from the sauce and set aside to cool.
  7. Strain the mixture and return the liquid to the pan.
  8. Reduce the mixture until it heavily coats a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  9. Place the apples cut side down and slice the apples crosswise halfway into ¼-inch thick slices, keeping the apple intact.
  10. Cut six 3-inch rounds out of the puff pastry sheet.
  11. Place the puff pastry rounds on the baking sheet.
  12. Place the flat side of the apple on top and drizzle the apple with the reduced poaching syrup.
  13. In a bowl beat the egg with 2 tablespoons of water until light and pale and lightly brush the pastry edges with the egg wash. Bake until the apples and the pastry are golden brown, about 15 to 18 minutes.
  1. Fennel Caramel
  2. Heat the sugar and 2 tablespoons of water in a non-reactive pan stirring constantly until the sugar is caramelized (amber colored), about 5 minutes.
  3. Remove the sugar from the heat and add the cream, butter, and fennel seed.
  4. Stir until well incorporated.
  5. The caramel can be made ahead and kept refrigerated for up to 1 week.
  6. To reheat, place the caramel in a small saucepan and heat until warm and melted.
  7. Place each warm galette on a plate, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and drizzle with the Fennel Caramel.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • figteam
    figteam
  • EllnMllr
    EllnMllr
  • deanna1001
    deanna1001

3 Reviews

figteam December 20, 2011
OOPS - thank you, here you go!!!
 
EllnMllr December 20, 2011
Agree. Looks awesome but clearly missing assembly instructions, would love to make this over the holidays
 
deanna1001 December 20, 2011
This looks great, but I think there are some instructions missing! Like how it is assembled and baked... Also - are the apples meant to be prepped in any way prior to simmering (peeled, cored?) Looks like a festive holiday dessert, but will wait for further direction. Thx in advance.