Rustic Plum Crostata With Lemon Thyme Food

SUMMER FRUIT CROSTATA

Steps:

• Make the dough: Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the butter using your fingers, two knives or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Slowly add the buttermilk and cream and gently mix, using your fingers or a fork, until the mixture just comes together. (Alternatively, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and butter in a food processor and pulse a few times. Add the buttermilk and heavy cream and pulse until the dough just comes together.)
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and sprinkle a bit more flour on top. Lightly flatten the dough using a rolling pin or your hands, fold it over and flatten again. Fold it over once more, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes and up to 2 days.
• Make the filling: Combine the fruit and sugar in a large bowl and let sit at room temperature until the juices begin to release, about 30 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the cornstarch slurry, bring to a boil and cook until the mixture thickens, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the citrus zest and juice and salt.
• Assemble the crostata: Preheat the oven to 375˚. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 12-inch round, 1/4 inch thick. Transfer the dough round to the prepared baking sheet. Fill the center with the fruit filling, leaving a 2-inch border. Gently fold the border over the fruit, leaving the center exposed, and pleat the border to make a circle. Sprinkle sugar evenly over the dough.
• Bake until the crust is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.

RUSTIC PLUM CROSTATA WITH LEMON THYME

Steps:

• In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, pulse together the flours, 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt until blended. In a measuring cup, lightly beat the egg, and add just enough cream to get to 1/3 cup. Lightly whisk the egg and cream together.
• Add the butter to the flour mixture and pulse to break up the butter. Do not over-process; you need lima-bean-size chunks of butter. Drizzle the egg mixture over the dough and pulse until it just starts to come together but is still mostly large crumbs.
• Put the dough on the counter and knead to make one uniform piece. Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic and chill for 2 hours or up to 3 days.
• Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Roll the dough out to a 12-inch round (it can be ragged). Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and chill while preparing the filling.
• Toss together the plums, all but a tablespoon of the remaining sugar, a pinch of salt and the cornstarch. Pile fruit on the dough circle, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border. Gently fold the pastry over the fruit, pleating to hold it in (sloppy is fine). Brush pastry with cream. Sprinkle remaining sugar on top, with the thyme.
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the crust is golden and the fruit is tender. Cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Remove the thyme branches (some leaves will cling; you want this). Serve warm or at room temperature.

PLUM CROSTATA

Steps:

• For the dough: In a standing mixer with a paddle blend together flour, sugar and lemon zest. Add butter and continue mixing on low until sandy looking. Meanwhile whisk together egg and yolk. Add to flour/butter mixture and blend on low just until it comes together. Form into a ball and chill.
• Roll dough out to a 14-inch circle and place on a parchment paper lined sheet pan. Fold over 1/2 inch of the crust to form a rustic edge. Spread jam on center of tart then fan around wedges of plums and dot with raspberries. Drizzle honey over plums, brush edge with cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake at 375 until fruit is tender and crust is cooked on the under side, about 25 to 30 minutes.
• Note: You may use frozen raspberries if fresh is not available. Also if you can't find coarse sugar, use raw sugar.

PLUM-AND-PORT CROSTATA

Steps:

• Pulse flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the granulated sugar in a food processor. Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. With machine running, slowly add ice water until dough comes together. Shape into a disk. Wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Fit into an 8-inch pie dish, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Freeze for up to 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Simmer port and 1/2 cup brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add chile if desired. Cover, and let cool for 10 minutes.
• Stir together remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar and teaspoon salt, the plums, cornstarch, cinnamon, and port syrup. Transfer to pie shell. Fold in overhang to form a crust; brush crust with cream, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake for 30 minutes; reduce oven to 375 degrees. Bake until golden and center is bubbling, about 45 minutes more. Let cool.