Easy Peach Crostata Food

FRESH PEACH CROSTATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F. Bring a small pot of water to a boil over high heat. Using a small, sharp knife, cut a small "x" into the skin at the bottom of each peach. Place the peaches in boiling water for 20 seconds. Pour into a colander and rinse under cool running water. Starting at the "x," peel the skin from the peaches and discard. Slice the peaches and place in a small bowl, sprinkling with the 3 tablespoons sugar and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 5 tablespoons sugar with the flour, Earth Balance, nutmeg, and almond extract. Using your fingers, rub the mixture together until incorporated and set aside.
• Dust a clean work surface with flour. Roll the pastry dough out into a circle about 13 inches across, trimming the edges so they are even. Transfer the dough to a sheet of parchment paper. Spread two-thirds of the sugar-flour mixture on the bottom of the crust, leaving a 2-inch border around the edge. Place two-thirds of the peaches over the flour mixture. Sprinkle the remaining flour mixture over the peaches. Add the remaining peaches on top. Fold the outer edge of the pastry dough in over the crostata to create a crust, pinching excess dough to secure.
• Leaving the crostata on the parchment paper, transfer to a baking sheet. Sprinkle the sliced almonds on top and bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly, about 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

PEACH CROSTATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, 1/4 C of the sugar, and salt.
• Cut in butter, using the tips of your fingers, to a coarse meal texture.
• Press mixture evenly into bottom and up sides of deep 9-10-inch pie plate.
• Make top neat.
• Arrange peaches over the crust and sprinkle with remaining 3/4 C of sugar.
• Dust with cinnamon if desired.
• Bake for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together cream (or other) and eggs until well blended.
• After 15 minutes, remove crostata and pour egg and cream mixture over it.
• Return to oven for another 30 minutes until well set.
• Serve warm (not hot) or at room temperature.
• Crostata is best if never refrigerated.
• Make be baked several hours ahead.
• Can be kept at room temperature for up to 24 hours.
• Nectarines may be substituted for the peaches.

INDIVIDUAL PEACH CROSTATAS

Steps:

• For the pastry: In a large bowl or in the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and lemon zest. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly by either pulsing it in the processor or using a pastry blender, a couple of knives, or your fingertips. If using a food processor, be sure not to overmix, which will cause the butter to soften too much. Add the heavy cream, Marsala, and the cheese, if you're using it. Pulse briefly just until moist clumps form or stir with a fork until just combined. Divide the dough into 4 pieces, shape them into discs, wrap well in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to a day.
• For the filling: Combine the peaches, sugar, butter, and cornstarch in a large bowl; set aside.
• To bake the crostatas: Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and flour a work surface well. Shape the tarts by rolling each dough disc into a circle 7 inches across and between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick (they don't have to be perfectly round).
• Top the dough rounds with the peaches, leaving a 1-inch border of dough empty. If using the pecorino, sprinkle about 1/2 tablespoon over each crostata. Fold the edges of the rounds up and over the peaches, pleating loosely. Carefully transfer the tarts to the parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake the crostatas until the dough turns a deep golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool slightly and serve with additional grated pecorino, if you like.

CROSTATA DOUGH

Steps:

• Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor until combined. Add butter, and process until mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 seconds. With the machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream until mixture just begins to hold together.
• Shape dough into 2 disks. Wrap each in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days (or freeze for up to 1 month; thaw in refrigerator before using).

CAST-IRON PEACH CROSTATA

Steps:

• Mix flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon salt; cut in butter and shortening until crumbly. Gradually add ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Shape into a disk. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight., Combine peaches and lemon juice. Add remaining brown sugar, cornstarch, spices and remaining salt; toss gently. Let stand 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 13-in. circle; transfer to a 10-in. cast-iron skillet, letting excess hang over edge. Using a slotted spoon, transfer peaches into crust, reserving liquid. Fold crust edge over filling, pleating as you go, leaving center uncovered. Brush folded crust with beaten egg; sprinkle with almonds and coarse sugar. Bake until crust is dark golden and filling is bubbly, 45-55 minutes. , In a small saucepan, combine reserved liquid and water; bring to a boil. Simmer until thickened, 1-2 minutes; serve warm with pie. If desired, top with fresh raspberries.