Nectarine And Blackberry Crostata With Cornmeal Crust Food

RUSTIC NECTARINE AND BLACKBERRY CROSTATA WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• For crust:
• Combine first 5 ingredients in processor and blend 5 seconds. Add butter; using on/off turns, blend just until butter is reduced to pea-size pieces. (To ensure a flaky crust, be careful not to overwork the butter.) Add 1/3 cup ice water. Using on/off turns, blend until dough comes together in moist clumps, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap; chill at least 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill. Let soften slightly at room temperature before rolling out.)
• Roll out dough on lightly floured sheet of parchment paper to 14-inch round, turning dough occasionally to prevent sticking. Slide rimless baking sheet under parchment. Transfer dough on parchment to refrigerator. Chill until dough firms slightly, about 30 minutes.
• For filling and baking:
• Stir sugar and cornstarch in medium bowl to blend. Mix in fruit and vanilla. Let stand until juices are released, stirring fruit occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Transfer baking sheet with dough to work surface. Let stand 8 minutes to allow dough to soften slightly if too firm to fold. Spoon fruit and juices into center of dough. Arrange fruit in even 10-inch-diameter layer in center. Brush 2-inch border of dough with egg glaze. Lift about 2 inches of dough border and pinch to form vertical seam. Continue around tart, pinching seam every 2 inches to form standing border. Fold border down over fruit (center 6 inches of fruit remain uncovered). Brush folded border with egg glaze; sprinkle with raw sugar.
• Place baking sheet with tart in oven. Bake until crust is golden brown and fruit filling is bubbling at edges, about 55 minutes. Remove from oven; slide large metal spatula under tart to loosen from parchment. Brush fruit with preserves. Slide tart onto rack. Cool 45 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream.
• Available at Italian markets, natural foods stores, and some supermarkets.

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.

ONE-PAN FRAGRANT DUCK & VEGETABLE CURRY

Steps:

• Heat a wok or frying pan over a low heat and lay the duck breasts in the pan skin-side down. Reduce the heat to low and sizzle gently for 10-15 mins until the skin is golden and the fat has rendered into the pan. Remove the breasts to a plate and leave to cool.
• With the pan still on a low heat, scatter the sugar over the leftover duck fat and stir in the curry paste and fish sauce. Cook, stirring, for 3-4 mins until fragrant, then add the aubergine and potatoes, and stir to coat. Let the veg absorb some of the paste for a few minutes, then pour over the coconut milk and half a can of water, add the lime leaves (if using) and bring to a simmer.
• Meanwhile, finely slice the duck breasts. Stir the meat and resting juices into the curry and simmer for 40 mins, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are just cooked and the duck is tender. Stir in the green beans and simmer for 10 mins more until the beans are cooked. Remove from the heat. Stir in the lime juice, taste and add more lime, sugar or fish sauce if needed. Scatter over the chillies, coriander and peanuts. Serve with cooked rice.