ON YOUR PLATE by Jess Farley / photography by Brett Kosmider
Easier Than Pie Celebrate autumn with an apple galette Step outside into the brisk, autumn breeze of Door County. Put your arms in the air, and turn your body so the wind brushes your face and blows through your hair. Take a deep breath in; let the deep breath out. Then repeat. This time of year beckons to me to slow my pace and embrace the change in the weather. One of my favorite things to do in the fall is drive the backroads. I try to get lost and take in the scenery as the trees and fields shift from greens to shades of gold, orange and red. I search for roadside stands and their end-ofseason bounty: vegetables, pumpkins and apples. This time of year is perfect for putting on your apron and your favorite music and spending some time in the kitchen.
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door county living / doorcountypulse.com
My go-to baked treat in the fall is something with apples. The aroma of baking apples commingled with a little butter and cinnamon is one of the very best. Cortland and McIntosh apples are easily found here, and they’re perfect for baking. They were some of the first varieties introduced to Door County back when our ancestors discovered how perfectly the county’s climate and certain varieties of fruit trees accompanied one another, and honestly, the rest is history. In recent years I’ve discovered the galette: a rustic French pastry that can be made sweet or savory. It’s a cousin to the pie, but it’s less complicated and just as beautiful and delicious.
I’ve traditionally made mine using a simple pie crust, but you can use a storebought pie crust or puff pastry when you’re in a hurry. A galette takes less time than a pie to assemble and bake, and you can enjoy it for breakfast or dessert. Apple pie goes great with a slice of Cheddar cheese slightly melted over the top, and so does an apple galette. I also recommend pairing your galette with homemade whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. When the wind starts blowing from the north and the trees give us their magnificent display of color, settle into your kitchen, preheat the oven and get baking. The galette is a beautiful, rustic pastry to share. Enjoy!
