sage + butternut squash galette

In the middle of a Toronto February I start fantasizing about making a blanket fort around my bed and refusing to come out until i can be assured that I will reliably see the sun for more than an hour a day. Pastry, however, has proven to be a much healthier and equally satisfying way of handling the long last stretch of winter. Not only is it flaky and delicious, it forces me to sit at a table! #nocrumbsinmybed

Here is a recipe I tried and loved from Gourmet February 2009

$4.50 per 2 servings

Serves 6 as main course.

From Gourmet, February 2009

ingredients

crust

• 1 1/4 c all purpose flour
• 1 stick (1/2 c) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• 4-6 tbsp cold water
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

filling

• 1 2lb butternut squash, peeled and seeded, cut into 2 inch by 1/4 inch slices (should be about 4 cups)
• 1 tsp coarse sea salt
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 leeks (white & pale green parts only), thinly sliced
• 175 g soft goat cheese

preparation

dough:

Mix flour, butter, sage, and sea salt using a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Drizzle ice water evenly over mixture, one tablespoon at a time, and mix with the pastry cutter until it just forms a ball. (Do not overwork dough, or pastry will be tough.) Gently press dough into a 5-inch disk and chill, wrapped in plastic wrap, until firm, at least 1 hour.

make filling while dough chills:

Preheat oven to 500°F with rack in middle.

Toss squash with sea salt and 1 tbsp oil and arrange in 1 layer in a 17-by 12-inch shallow baking pan. Roast, stirring once halfway through roasting, until golden brown on edges and undersides, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove squash from oven and reduce oven temperature to 375°F.

Meanwhile, wash leeks, then cook in remaining 2 tablespoons oil with a pinch of sea salt in a 10-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl to cool slightly. Add squash, most of the goat cheese (set about a 1/4 c aside), and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and toss gently.

galette:

Roll out dough into a 13-inch round on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin. Transfer to a baking sheet. Arrange filling in an even layer in center of dough, leaving a 2- to 3-inch border. Fold dough in on itself to cover outer rim of filling, pleating dough as necessary. With the remaining 1/4 c goat cheese, place a generous amount on each slice of the galette (about 6 evenly spaced pieces). Brush pastry with beaten egg and bake galette until crust is cooked through and golden on edges, 35 to 45 minutes. Cool on baking sheet on a rack 10 minutes before serving.