summer

Galette with Ricotta and Zucchini

Aren’t galettes just the cutest things ever?

That is probably the reason number one why I love making them so much.

I also adore their rustic and simple look – there’s something very romantic about it. When I make galettes I like to imagine I am going back in time and meet some of my ancestors who definitely must have made zillions of pastries like this.

In addition, galettes always amaze me by their wonderful contrasty taste and countless variations.

So far, for this site, I’ve already made two galette recipes – savory Cabbage Galettes and sweet Apple Galettes.

Both tasted heavenly.

Yum!

For some reason, up till now, I thought galettes are the perfect fall or winter treat. Well, was I surprised when I came across this wonderful recipe at Smitten Kitchen. Things clicked and from now on I am a huge ‘galette-as-a-perfect-summer-treat’ propagator.

Just imagine: chilled, tart ricotta filling infused with flavorful spices meets refreshing, slightly crunchy zucchini and that is all lovingly wrapped in irresistible, flaky, fragrant crust.

Mmmm.

Definitely worth trying.

This is the yummy stuff I’ve used.

1. To make your own galette, first whisk together the flour and salt in a larger bowl.
2. Sprinkle bits of the butter over the flour mixture.

3. Using a pastry blender (or just a simple fork), cut the butter in until the mixture resembles a coarse meal.

4. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, lemon juice and water…

5. …and add this to the flour/butter mixture.

6. Now use a rubber spatula to gather and combine the mixture into a ball-like shape.

7. Then bath your hands in flour up to your shoulders (kidding! palms are enough!) and form a nice ball out of the dough.

You don’t need to knead or work too much on this dough – it’s perfect when it just holds together.
8. Refrigerate the dough for about 1 hour.

9. Meanwhile, slice the zucchinis into 1/4 inch thick rounds.

10. Spread the rounds out over two layers of paper towels.
11. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and let drain for 30 minutes.

These are our lovely zucchini rounds after 30 minutes. See how the towels are all wet?

12. Blot the tops of the rounds dry with paper towels before using.

13. Now, press the garlic into a small bowl.
14. Add the olive oil and whisk together.

15. Here the lovely ingredients can’t wait to meet each other and coexist in a perfect harmony.

I am namely talking about the ricotta, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, olive/garlic mixture, sweet paprika powder, black pepper and salt.

In other words, mix the filling ingredients just until combined.

Set aside some olive/garlic mixture to drizzle on top of the galette.

16. To assemble the galette, remove the dough from the fridge and place it on a well floured surface.
17. Roll the dough out into a 14-inch (35 cm) round.

18. Transfer to an ungreased, round 6 x 2 inches (15 x 5 cm) baking dish.

19. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the bottom of the galette dough,…

20. …leaving a 2-inch border.

I’ve used a little more ricotta than the recipe called for because, hm…, because I don’t even know why. I just probably couldn’t stop adding it in. Yeah, the control thing – I should work on that. But I’ll definitely follow the given ricotta measurement next time – now I see that the proportions are perfect.

21. Shingle the zucchini attractively on top of the ricotta in concentric circles, starting at the outside edge.
22. Drizzle the remaining garlic and olive oil mixture evenly over the zucchini.
23. Fold the border over the filling, pleating the edge to make it fit (the center will be open).
24. Brush crust with egg yolk glaze.

25. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 1 hour (or until the zucchini is slightly wilted and the galette is golden brown).

Although you can serve this wonderful galette at any temperature, I loved it best refrigerated.

Enjoy, dear friends!

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Strawberry Cheesecake

Someone might think that after all the cheesecakes and cheesecake pots I’ve made I’ll have enough.

But no.

Not me.

As soon as I came across this recipe I found myself being pulled towards the kitchen by some strong and strange power.

Really!

You better believe me.

The things that followed were…hm…spooky, my friends.

All I could see were my very own hands reaching for strawberries, sugar, blender…then there was a lot of noise…then flour mist covered everything…and the next thing I remember was me sitting on a chair and munching on this heavenly treat.

Things like these happen to me quite often.

Sometimes I’m scared.

What is that?

Well, that kitchen of mine – I guess there will be a movie made about its magical powers one day.

Luckily, I had my camera there with me…so now I have the evidence to show you:

These are the ingredients that gathered to create the delicious piece of art.

1. First I ground up the graham crackers until they were crumbs.

Or shall I use the instructions-giving style?

Okay.

So…

2. Pour the graham crackers into a larger bowl.
3. Add the sugar.

4. Melt the butter and add it to the bowl.

You can melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat or in a microwave, like I did.

Both ways are all-right.

5. Using a spatula or a spoon or anything you desire, combine the ingredients.

6. Now, try your best to find your 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan somewhere.
7. Press the crumbly mixture onto the bottom of the pan.

You don’t even have to spray or butter the pan before.

But you can.

You don’t need to, but you can…

But you don’t need to.

Am I being clear?

No?

So again…

You don’t even have to…

Sorry!
8. Place the pan into the fridge for about 30 minutes.

9. In a blender or food processor, combine the strawberries and cornstarch. Cover and process until smooth.

You can use fresh strawberries instead of frozen ones. In that case, add about 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar into the blender.

10. Pour the strawberry purée into a saucepan and bring to boil.

Cook and stir for about 2 minutes.

Let cool.

Set aside 1/3 cup of the finished sauce for serving. Keep it covered in your refrigerator.

11. In a bowl of your electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with milk just until combined.

When it comes to cheesecakes, it’s important not to over beat the batter. That way you’ll prevent cracking of the cheesecake when it’s baking.

Oh, and you might have noticed that the condensed milk I was using looks a little too thin. You are right. Since I am a dreamer and a utopian I decided to bond two hardly mergeable concepts – cake and diet. For these reasons I used low-fat condensed milk. It was all right, but next time I’ll use the regular milk – that makes the cake’s structure a tad firmer.

12. Add the lemon juice.

13. Then add the eggs and beat on low just until combined.

14. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust.
15. Drop the strawberry mixture by 1/2 teaspoonfuls onto cream cheese layer.

16. With a knife, swirl the strawberry sauce.
17. Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 55-60 minutes or until the center is almost set.

Don’t worry if the cake still wobbles in the middle a little when you shake it. For even though the center may not look fully baked, once it cools it will firm up and be the correct consistency.

18. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
19. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Cool 1 hour longer.

20. Refrigerate overnight and serve with the strawberry sauce you’ve set aside (if it’s gotten too thick you can dilute it with a little water).
21. Store the cake in the refrigerator and most importantly – enjoy, dear friends!

See you soon!

Most cordially,
Petra

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