Rustic Apple and Cherry Galette

This free-form tart is wonderful served warm and topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. This super simple and easy to make pastry is perfect for the baker that still hasn't mastered their grandmother's perfect pie crust.   Enjoy!

Rustic Apple and Dried Cherry Galette

Adapted from Bon Appétit | April 1998 

Yield: Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 tablespoons (about) ice water filling
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 1/2 pounds tart green apples (such as Granny Smith; about 5), peeled, cored, each cut into 8 wedges
3 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup dried tart cherries (about 2 ounces)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons coarse raw sugar

Ice Cream for serving (optional)
Caramel Sauce for serving (optional)

Preparation:

For crust:
Mix flour and salt in processor. Add butter and cut in using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 3 tablespoons ice water and process until moist clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic and chill 30 minutes. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Soften slightly at room temperature before rolling out.)

For filling:
Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add apples to skillet; sprinkle 3 tablespoons sugar over. Sauté until apples are golden and begin to soften, about 8 minutes. Add dried cherries and cinnamon and stir 30 seconds. Remove from heat and cool completely.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough on floured surface to 12-inch round. Using 9-inch-diameter tart pan bottom as aid, transfer dough to rimless baking sheet. Arrange apple mixture atop dough, leaving 3-inch border. Fold edge of dough over apple mixture, pinching to seal any cracks in dough. Brush all exposed dough with egg wash to seal the crust. Sprinkle coarse raw sugar over apple mixture and dough edge.

Bake galette 15 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 375°F. Continue to bake galette until crust is light golden around edges and apples are tender, about 35 minutes longer. Using tart pan bottom as aid, transfer galette to rack; cool 15 minutes.

Serve warm with Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce.