Ingredients:
- 280 g (2 ¼ cups) All-Purpose Flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 2 tsp Granulated Sugar (for dough)
- 1 tsp Fine Sea Salt (for dough)
- 225 g (8 oz / 1 cup) Unsalted Butter, very cold and cut into ½-inch cubes
- 120 ml (½ cup) Ice Water
- 110 g (4 oz / ½ cup) Unsalted Butter, softened (for frangipane)
- 110 g (½ cup) Granulated Sugar (for frangipane)
- 110 g (1 cup) Almond Flour (finely ground almonds)
- 1 large Egg, room temperature (for frangipane)
- 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Ginger, finely grated
- 3 large Asian Pears, peeled, cored, and sliced ⅛ inch thick
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 Tbsp Light Brown Sugar, packed
- ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Ground Nutmeg
- Pinch of Fine Sea Salt (for filling)
- 1 large Egg (for egg wash)
- 1 Tbsp Milk or Water (for egg wash)
- 2 Tbsp Turbinado Sugar (or Demerara Sugar), for sprinkling the crust
Instructions:
- Stage 1: Prepare the Pastry Dough. Whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl or the bowl of a food processor.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold butter cubes. Use a pastry blender, your fingertips, or pulse in a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized chunks of butter remaining.
- Add Water: Gradually stream in the ice water, mixing just until the dough barely comes together. Do not overmix; stop as soon as it forms a shaggy mass.
- Chill: Gather the dough, flatten it into a 1-inch thick disk, wrap tightly in cling film, and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes.
- Stage 2: Prepare the Frangipane. In a medium bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Fold in the almond flour, ginger, and a pinch of salt until just combined. Set aside.
- Prepare Pears: Toss the sliced Asian pears with the lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Ensure the slices are evenly coated.
- Stage 3: Assemble the Galette. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a roughly 14-inch (35 cm) circle.
- Transfer the rolled dough carefully onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Spread the Frangipane: Spread the frangipane mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 2-inch (5 cm) border uncovered around the edges.
- Arrange the Pears: Shingle the spiced pear slices neatly over the frangipane, starting from the center and working outward, leaving the frangipane border visible but covering most of the cream.
- Fold the Edge: Gently fold the uncovered dough edge up and over the outer edge of the pear filling, crimping lightly to secure the folds.
- Stage 4: Bake and Finish. Prepare Egg Wash: Whisk the remaining egg with milk/water. Brush the folded pastry edges thoroughly with the egg wash.
- Sprinkle the pastry crust generously with Turbinado or Demerara sugar for texture and sparkle.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the crust is deep golden brown, and the frangipane filling is set and bubbling.
- Cool: Allow the galette to cool on the baking sheet for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to fully set.