As the sun turns my shoulders one happy shade darker, I know Summer’s signature long, lazy afternoons are here to stay. ‘Tis the season for sipping icy cold lemonade from porch swings, napping under the shade of big, friendly oak trees and eating as many watermelons as allowed by law. I’m a card-carrying watermelon-salter. A habit, which, I’m guessing, leaves me in the minority when it comes to acceptable summertime rituals. Any closet watermelon-salters out there? Anyone?
Even if I tread alone, I still love Summer. I love the ease of it. I walk slower, eat slower, cook slower. Heck, I’m cooking sooo slowwww these days that if you caught a glimpse of my-so-called ‘cooking’, it might look remarkably similar to, Err…stacking. Or spreading. Or tossing. But, I don’t mind one bit. The warm summer wind is gently flowing into the kitchen, Sinatra is playing in the background, nothing is hurried and meals have a tendency to transpire haphazardly. Walnut pesto or herbed goat cheese slathered on a toasted, crusty baguette along side a simple green salad and thick slivers of heirloom tomatoes, paired with a chilled glass of French Rosé, all of a sudden turns into a fabulously chic and perfect meal. Fully loaded and fuss-free.
Now, we can’t really talk about the ease and fuss-freeness of things, without a big summer nod and wink to the ultra low maintenance rustic almond-plum galette. This free-form tart is my favorite type of dessert. Little effort, big impact. It’s the definition of versatility and embodies the much acclaimed ‘oouu-ahhhh‘ factor. Even the biggest curmudgeon you know will eek out a grin with this galette. Serve it after a casual outdoor barbecue, a fancy-pants dinner party or a regular weeknight meal. It fits like a glove anywhere it goes. Or, if you’re crazy like me, have it for breakfast. Go for it…’Tis the season.
RUSTIC ALMOND-PLUM GALETTE
Make sure to pick plums that are not overly ripe – you want these babies firm, firm, firm. Otherwise, you’ll have a soggy mess on your hands. Adjust the amount of sugar as necessary to satisfy your desired level of sweetness/tartness. If you’re not a big fan of plums, feel free to pick your fruit of choice. Mix and match. Go nuts. Let me know what you come up with. I made this galette with strawberries a little while back, when strawberries were overflowing at my farmer’s market. (Plums are now overflowing). Actually, I made it twice. In the same week.
Music Pairing: Frank Sinatra, Summer Wind
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups + 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
- 1/2 cup very cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1/4 cup + 3 tbsp + 1/2 tsp sugar, plus more for dusting
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2-4 tbsp ice water
- 1/4 cup whole, skin-on almonds, toasted
- 5 to 6 firm plums, halved, pitted, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
- zest of half a lemon
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Method
In a food processor, combine 1 1/4 cups flour, butter, 1/2 tsp sugar, and salt. Pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add ice water, 1 tbsp at a time. Pulse until dough is crumbly, but holds together when squeezed. Do not overmix. Remove dough from food processor and shape into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Meanwhile, wipe bowl of food processor clean and add almonds, 3 tbsp sugar, and 2 tbsp of flour. Pulse until ground to a coarse meal.
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, toss the plums with 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tbsp flour and zest of half a lemon. Taste and add more sugar for desired sweetness and set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 13-14 inch round, about an 1/8-1/4 of inch thick. Transfer to a parchment-lined cookie sheet (preferably without sides) and spread almond mixture over dough, leaving a two-inch border. Spread and arrange plums on top of almond mixture. Fold and pleat edge of dough over fruit. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Brush crust with egg wash and sprinkle galette with 1-2 tablespoons of sugar. Bake until crust is golden and underside is cooked through, about 70 minutes. Allow to cool before slicing.
Your pictures are splendid and so is your galette! Plum desserts are my favorite!
Cheers,
Rosa
I love your this rustic tart! Want to bite in it immediately ;). Do you mean it also goes well with cherries? Still have some sitting on the counter…
Did I read right: you salt your watermelons? Or is that just a phrase? Anyway I like mine pure, but I have to admit I haven’t eat some this year, yet. What a pity!
Beautiful. That is all!
(oh and I can’t WAIT for my little plum tree to fruit now!)
Oh thank goodness we aren’t the only ones moving SLOW as molasses these days. Lazy days of summer indeed. We adore galettes and are desperate to try this one now…the almonds and plum combo sounds just perfect.
So good to see you outside again- shooting more incredible vistas for us all to enjoy. I can feel the summer wind coming across the fields. And that first plum portrait is so dark and cool- like all plums should be. Your galette is gorgeous and I wish I had a big slice this morning for my breakfast, too!
And yes, I have been caught salting. ;)
so beautiful. i just love stone fruit season and your photos are plain gorgeous G!
Gorgeous picture. Gotta love plums! Completely agree that Frank is the perfect summertime pairing.
That is one gorgeous plum and a gorgeous pie!
What a lovely post. I always enjoy seeing your pictures and reading your posts. Hope all is well.
Gorgeous! Plums are a totally under-rated baking fruit. I just posted a plum cake that is to die-for. Everyone always seems surprised by the plums.
As always, your photos are fantastic!
Everything about this post- the way you feel about summer, the eats and relaxation to the salting of watermelon are all beautiful words that I feel like speak from my heart too! beautiful!!
One of my favorite desserts is a rustic galette! the almond is perfect in this with the plums! Beautiful photos!!
i am so excited to try this recipe! i live in wisconsin, so i’m thinking pears might be the fruit of choice soon….
the photographs are, as always, absolutely gorgeous. thank you!
Your gorgeous photos just made my morning, and I felt I was momentarily transported out of the concrete jungle of NYC while looking at your beautiful pictures! I will definitely have to try this recipe, especially as I love stone fruits paired with almonds. Thank you for this!
Love rustic galettes, love plums, love your photos, love your blog :)
I wish I could just close my eyes and beam myself there ! Thanks for the delightful recipe, photos and perfect music pairing (love that Summer Wind)…
xo M
That is the most beautiful plum galette I have ever seen! Thanks for the gorgeous photos and the recipe.
I am so in love with galettes. I made my first two a short month ago and I cannot imagine my life without them now. I love plums and I also love that you kept the lovely skin on. Beautiful!
Wow that just looks so so beautiful and so delish.
I just finishes off my 2 kg of plum we bought from the local market now I will have to wait till next time when I get plums.
Good gracious. These photos could rival any food magazine. And how!
You know, it probably doesn’t even matter what it tastes like, if it looks that good. I’m sure it’s delicious (and I’m going to try it), but those photos are so amazing. I’ve been looking at/lusting after a macro lense for my camera..Hmmm..this post probably made my mind up for me.
I have this “must have that now” attitude when it comes to food that looks irresistible. With in an hour of reading your new post, I was at my local organic market squeezing every soft plum I could find to reveal the firm ones. Can’t wait to bake this baby. You are a beautiful writer and I always look forward to your posts!
Breathtaking photography. Summer sounds so perfect the way you describe it, makes me feel cooler here on the East Coast with the heat wave. That plum galette looks amazing, plums are so wonderful in desserts, I actually prefer them that way.
Love the tart and the plums really bring out the colour of the entire dessert. Absolutely gorgeous photos as well.
So fantastic and simple. I love how you just sprinkle in the almonds – so tasty with the plums. Such a great summer dessert!
Hi, all! Happy Summer!
Lena – Yes, I do sprinkle the tops of my watermelon slices with salt. I grew up eating them that way and I swear, it makes them sweeter! I’ve never tried this galette with cherries, but it sounds like it would be a winner.
Thanks so much, Jennifer, Louise and Connie. So happy to know we share such similar love for our beloved Summer.
Kathdedon and Shannalee – you are too sweet! Thank you.
Totally agree, Nicole. My sentiments exactly.
Nina – You are too funny. Thanks for the kind words and hope you enjoy it!
I’m so glad I followed a link on Twitter to your website. Absolutely gorgeous – the landscape, your rustic galette, and the lazy days of summer as you describe them!
Your pictures have just transported me straight into summer. And while I don’t salt my watermelon, I do love savory watermelon salads (basil, mint, tomatoes, feta…). mmm, I am thinking this would be the perfect dessert to such a salad?
G I am totally a watermelon salter — this post triggered a sudden need to find a hammock and a shady oak tree and relax with a tall glass of lemonade and a slice of your almond plum galette. Your pictures are beautiful as are your words — they make me smile :)
Hope you are enjoying your Summer!
My God! I just found your blog and I already love it! The pictures are amazing! And the feeling…
I’ll be coming back!
M.
G! This is amazing. I’m drooling. I could jump in that grassy field that you photographed and go to town on that delicious dessert! The crust looks outstanding :) YUM.
My oh my.
When I was a young gal living in Texas, my stepmom would salt her watermelon and I could not understand why.
“Perhaps it’s because she’s from Mississippi”, I thought.
Now I know, there are others. I’ll have to give it a whirl sometime.
BTW I lived in Mill Valley for years. I wax nostalgic all of the time.
This is beautiful! Thanks for the recipe (easy to veganize). Love love love your blog and photos.
I really could go for a slice of that pie right now..looks delicious and your blog is so lovely:)
Julie xo
very, very tasty looking. fantastic photos as usual – Absolutely going to have to make this one I adore rustic galettes
Those are the most perfectly sliced plums I have ever seen. The little things make all the difference. I am currently in love with galettes – so easy and so impressive! I think plums are overlooked in the dessert department. Glad to know summer is treating you well.
you know, i don’t even like plums, but these photos took my breath away
Lovely. Where is the beautiful pasture shot from?
I want this right when I wake up. There is nothing like a buttery crust with coffee.
Fantastic photos!
I don’t salt my watermelon, but watermelon and feta? Nom.
Hi, everyone! Hope you’re all well and out soaking up the summer!
Myyearoffood – I’ve made this galette with pears and they go brilliantly with the almonds. Perfect for fall.
Welcome Priscilla and Mikel Posh! So happy to have you here!
Fresh365 – I love savory watermelon salads too…I think you’re definitely onto something.
Joy and Mel – Watermelon salters unite! There must be more of us out there.
Liz – The pasture shot was taken in Napa Valley, just a stone’s throw from home.
I love your beautiful plums! And there is nothing more delicious than using them in a rustic galette. That vivid purple against your lovely crust is making me drool!
And by the way, I am an old watermelon-salter from way back. It makes them sweeter!
You just answered my question “What am I going to do with this basket of plums?” (that I got yesterday from my farm share). I’m thinking I’d like to add some goat cheese to this, make it a little savory as well. Would you recommend I add the cheese toward the end of baking? I don’t have a whole heck of a lot of experience in the pastry/pie department ;) Lovely post!
So glad you’re back! That is one lovely galette. I’ve been meaning to make one with peaches. We just got a big dusty bag full from the farm. I’ve been known to salt cantaloupe but never watermelon. I will give it a whirl.
LOVE salting watermelon. In fact, if you go to buy a plate of cut watermelon on the streets, you will get a plate of salted watemelon and something something more spicy – chaat masala. You should try using rock salt. It takes the taste to an all new level.
Your plum galette looks fantastic. I don’t enjoy eating plums too much, but wanted to try baking with them.
Even though my shoulders are not any darker (just more freckled), I still love summer. I also love plums and glorious galettes. Thank you! xoxoxoxo
Gorgeous. I don’t really like plums, but perhaps I will in this galette.
Barbara – Exactly! So much, sweeter!
Kristin – Yes, since it’s such a soft cheese, I’d add it with about 20 minutes or so left on the cooking time.
Tracy – I’ll have to try salting my next cantaloupe!
Wishing I had a field to walk in and some trees for a hammock. I salt watermelon — all melon — with gusto. No closets for me. Gorgeous tart. Unstructured tarts are so lovely.
I also love watermelon sprinkled with salt, although I understand if there aren’t too many people who enjoy it that way. I adore galettes with summer stone fruits. I like the almond butter spread that you add before the plums. This looks so good!
looks so damn good, your photography is beautiful!
G., that is absolutely gorgeous! I love galettes – easy to make and you can throw in pretty much any fruit. Looks beautiful and tastes great – win/win situation! :)
I love to see you around here again. :)
xx
i love this recipe… will be adding it to my friday links post… have a great weekend!
Love your galette my friend! Isn’t a great dessert! :) Almonds and plums sound like a fantastic combo. Happy summer!
I love your photography! Amazing!
I can see you are back in fine cooking form! I do love plum galette, but have found no plus as of yet in OH. You’ve convinced me to re-double my efforts! (Local, that is).
Looks absolutely yummm!
Will definitely try it out :-)
I’m from Alabama, of course I salt my watermelon. No one will ever change my mind, even with their disgusted looks. Try sugar in your chili…it’ll rock your world too.
Love your photos!
Hi there, I’m new to your blog and I just wanted to say a couple of things. Firstly, your blog is absolutely beautiful! The pictures are amazing and professional. Also, I love galette. It’s French, it includes fruit and it tastes divine…c’est parfait!!!
Just came across your blog and the combination of great food and amazing photography is just irresistible. I will start with the galette and work my way through other postings
Thank you so much!
Welcome Brittany and Amnon! Thank you so much for the kind words and so happy to have you both join us here!
Love a plum galette, and with the addition of almonds to make it extra special. What a perfect summer treat to savor s l o w ly!!
I salt my melon. Almonds and plums are favorites of mine. This tart looks perfect.
just now, finally, getting around to catching up with some summer “reading”, and have to say what a delight it was to come across this post. Words like beautiful, and gorgeous come to mind! And I’m pretty sure YUMMY should be on the list too! My Dad likes watermelon with a dash of salt….thanks for making me think of him…warmed my heart.
Absolutely gorgeous! Bet it tastes good too!
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Thanks for this awesome recipe!