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After the hoopla of Christmas and the excitement of snow days has worn off, winter can tend to drag on. The grey days seem unending, and I look forward to the beginning of spring – the first peek at daffodils and the robin’s song. But I’ve found that we also need to enjoy the moment – live in the moment. Even during the grey days. It’s a good opportunity to get together with friends and cheer each other on to spring.
I had the opportunity to do this recently – enjoy some good company and food. It was a simple meal, but made special by sharing it with friends. It even inspired one of my guests to try her hand at a new recipe. So take some time to connect with friends over a meal or coffee. It will brighten up your winter day as we anticipate the coming colors
Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Galette
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 1 small butternut squash (about one pound)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 to 2 tablespoons butter (if you have only non-stick, the smaller amount will do)
- 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced in half-moons
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
- 3/4 cup fontina cheese (about 2 1/2 ounces), grated or cut into small bits
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves.
- Make pastry: In a bowl, combine the flour and salt. Place the butter in another bowl. Place both bowls in the freezer for 1 hour. Remove the bowls from the freezer and make a well in the center of the flour. Add the butter to the well and, using a pastry blender, cut it in until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Make another well in the center. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, lemon juice and water and add half of this mixture to the well. With your fingertips, mix in the liquid until large lumps form. Remove the large lumps and repeat with the remaining liquid and flour-butter mixture. Pat the lumps into a ball; do not overwork the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Prepare squash: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Peel squash, then halve and scoop out seeds. Cut into a 1/2-inch dice. Toss pieces with olive oil and a half-teaspoon of salt. Roast on foil lined (for neatness sake) sheet for 30 minutes or until pieces are tender, turning it midway if your oven bakes unevenly. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Caramelize onions: While squash is roasting, melt butter in a heavy skillet and cook onion over low heat with the remaining half-teaspoon of salt and pinch of sugar, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes. Stir in cayenne.
- Raise the oven temperature to 400 degrees. Mix squash, caramelized onions, cheese and herbs together in a bowl.
- Assemble galette: On a floured work surface, roll the dough out into a 12-inch round. Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet. Spread squash, onions, cheese and herb mixture over the dough, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border. Fold the border over the squash, onion and cheese mixture, pleating the edge to make it fit. The center will be open.
- Bake until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven, let stand for 5 minutes, then slide the galette onto a serving plate. Cut into wedges and serve hot, warm or at room temperature.