Strawberry Galette

For a bright, flavourful summer treat, indulge in this fabulous Strawberry Galette! ❤

As I write this, it’s pouring outside, and there’s a chilly breeze wafting in through the balcony. There are little sparrows taking shelter on our balcony grill, chirping away. And my tummy is – happily – stuffed with the hearty Kheema Pav (a spicy mince preparation served with dinner rolls) I had for lunch. What did I have for dessert, you may ask. Haven’t you heard? I’m making healthier choices (read: depriving myself). Life is good. But seriously, I could use a slice of this Strawberry Galette to make it a tad better!

I used to live in a place where strawberries were available in the market all year round. They were not always sweet. But they were always there. And when they left the store, they found their way into my granola breakfast bowl or atop a serving of vanilla ice-cream, or just with a sprinkle of sugar to sate a sweet craving. I now live in a place where strawberries are available for only 3 months during the year. And no, they aren’t always sweet. 😦

If you haven’t guessed through my above rant, Strawberries are my FAVOURITE fruit! I think they are so versatile and delicious, and I really didn’t value them enough when I had them around all the time. (It’s true, you don’t really know what you’ve got till it’s lost.) I love strawberries because they are just perfect in a tart, on top of cakes, paired with yogurt, and especially with chocolate!

Since most parts of the world are enjoying the most wonderful, summery, ruby red strawberries this time of year (I’ve seen the instagrams, peeps!), it’s only fitting that I share with you my recipe for this fabulous Strawberry Galette that is super simple to put together and celebrates my favourite fruit, and how! Did I mention I’m depriving myself?

Here’s what you need:

All Purpose Flour – 1 & ½ cups
Sugar – ¼ cup + 3 tbsp
Unsalted Butter – 113 g, cold and cubed
Vanilla Extract – 2 tsp
Ice Water – ¼ cup
Strawberries – 300 g, sliced
Cornflour – 1 tbsp
Juice of half lemon
Egg – 1, beaten, for the egg wash
Brown Sugar – for sprinkling

Here’s how you make this just-what-you-need-this-summer Strawberry Galette:

Step 1: In a mixer-grinder, blitz the flour, ¼ cup sugar, butter and vanilla extract till it comes together in clumps. Add in the ice water and give it a final blitz. Turn the dough out onto plastic wrap, cover and refrigerator for an hour.

Step 2: While the dough is resting, mix remaining sugar, cornflour and sliced strawberries. Add in the lemon juice and give the filling a good mix. Pop into the refrigerator.

Step 3: Preheat the oven to 190 ºC. Pull the dough out onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper and roll into a disc. Arrange the strawberries in the pattern of your choice, leaving about an inch from the edges. Roughly fold over the edges. Glaze the pastry with egg wash and sprinkle some brown sugar on it.

Step 4: Bake the Galette for 35 minutes or until the pastry is crispy, golden and glossy. Once it is baked through, cool the Strawberry Galette on a wire rack before serving.

I love how strawberries turn gooey and mushy when baked. And with that drizzle of lemon juice that goes into the filling, you just know it’s going to be zingy. Truth be told, despite the butter, flour and sugar that goes into this Strawberry Galette, it is a light, fruity dessert that won’t have you weighed down by guilt after. The acidity from the strawberries cut right through all that richness of the pastry, to make the experience of biting into this galette breezy and enjoyable. And because it’s so light and not guilt-inducing, chances are you’ll keep going back for more! 🙂

Nevertheless, between the summer swims and the long walks on the beach, you sure can afford to pile on the calories and this Strawberry Galette with bright bursts of flavour is the perfect cheat treat! 😉

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