Strawberry Galette

Ingredients

FOR THE BASIL CREAM

• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup fresh basil, loosely packed fresh (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 cup mascarpone cheese

FOR THE FRIED BASIL

• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 18-24 large fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar, for sprinkling

FOR THE DOUGH

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more
• all-purpose flour, for surface
• 1 1/8 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold (cut into small pieces)
• 1/3 cup ice water (plus 2 tablespoons )

FOR THE GALETTE

• 1 lb strawberries, hulled
• 1/4 cup sugar, plus
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cold (cut into small pieces)

Directions

1. 1

   Make the basil cream:

2. 2

   Combine cream, basil, and sugar in a double boiler and stir until sugar dissolves, about 4 minutes.

3. 3

   Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 hours for a more pronounced basil flavor).

4. 4

   Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl. Add mascarpone, and whisk until medium peaks form.

5. 5

   Cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 24 hours.

6. 6

   Make the fried basil: Heat oil in a deep skillet to 325 degrees.

7. 7

   Fry basil, a few leaves at a time, for 12 seconds. (The leaves will cause the hot oil to spatter- use splatterguard)

8. 8

   Drain leaves on paper towels, and let cool completely. Sprinkle both sides of the leaves with sugar. (Basil can be stored at room temperature overnight.).

9. 9

   Make the dough: Sift flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor to combine. Cut in butter, and pulse until mixture forms coarse crumbs.

10. 10

    Add ice water, and mix until just combined (dough will still be crumbly). Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight).

11. 11

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

12. 12

    On a floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out a 10-inch round, and transfer to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

13. 13

    Make the galette: Cut strawberries lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Reserve end pieces for another use (want perfect even center slices for the concentric rings). Toss slices with 1/4 cup sugar and the cornstarch, and immediately arrange them in concentric circles on dough. Start 1 inch from edge, overlapping slices slightly. Fold edge of dough over berries.

14. 14

    Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

15. 15

    Whisk egg yolk and water o male eggwash. Brush dough with the egg wash, and sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.

16. 16

    Dot berries with butter.

17. 17

    Bake until crust is golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes.

18. 18

    Transfer to a serving plate. Serve warm with basil cream and fried basil.