
RUSTIC FIG CROSTATAS
Ingredients
Serves 8
PASTRY:
2½ cups (625 ml) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5 ml) cinnamon
½ tsp (2 ml) salt
½ cup (125 ml) cold unsalted butter, cubed
½ cup (125 ml) shortening, cubed
¼ cup (60 ml) ice water, approx.
3 tbsp (45 ml) sour cream
FILLING:
2 cups (500 ml) quartered small fresh figs, such as mission figs
1 cup (250 ml) fresh orange segments from about 2 naval oranges
¼ cup (60 ml) light brown sugar
2 tsp (10 ml) fresh thyme leaves, minced
1 tsp (5 ml) orange zest
1 generous pinch of salt
5 to 6 tbsp (75 to 90 ml) fine dry bread or graham cracker crumbs
TOPPING:
2 tbsp (30 ml) whipping cream
2 tbsp (30 ml) cold unsalted butter, finely diced
8 tsp (40 ml) liquid honey
Instructions
- To make PASTRY: In a food processor with metal blade combine flour, cinnamon and salt. Pulse for a second to blend. Add butter and shortening and pulse until coarse crumbs. Combine water and sour cream in a measuring cup and whisk. Drizzle into processor while pulsing. Add just enough for pastry to become a shaggy mass. Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and gather up pastry into a ball and press into a thick disk. Tightly seal in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. Can be refrigerated for several days.
- When ready to roll and bake, remove dough from refrigerator for about 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Position racks in bottom and top third of oven. Line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. Turn dough out onto a clean work surface lightly dusted with flour. Divide into 8 even-sized pieces and flatten each into a small disc. Using a floured rolling pin, roll each disc out on a lightly floured surface into a 6½-in (16 cm) circle.
- In a large bowl, combine FILLING ingredients except bread or graham cracker crumbs. Gently stir together to blend. Sprinkle centre of each pastry round with about 2 tsp (10 ml) of bread or graham cracker crumbs.
- Divide filling evenly among each pastry round, mounding mixture in centre. Fold in edges of each round, pleating pastry as you go, creating a 1-in (2.5 cm) rim and leaving centres exposed. Transfer 4 filled crostatas to each prepared baking sheet. Brush rims of pastry with whipping cream and dot fillings with equal amounts of diced butter.
- Bake in oven for 25 minutes and then alternate baking sheet positions and continue baking another 20 minutes or until pies are golden. Transfer sheets to racks to cool.
- To serve, drizzle each crostata with 1 tsp (5 ml) honey. Best served the same day.