So this year we had an abundance of figs. A few years ago my dad planted a fig tree and we've gotten some every summer. But this was the first year we had figs in such abundance that we didn't even know what to do with them all. Last summer I had found the recipe for Crostata and made it. It was heavenly. I spent a bit this year trying to find a new recipe. Not because I didn't like the crostata but just because I don't like making the same recipe twice and I know there are so many amazing recipes out there. But I really didn't find anything better. In fact nothing came close to the crostata recipe. And so with mixed feelings I decided to stick with a tried but true recipe. And so ladies and gentleman I present to you Fig and Almond Crostata!
The figs get soaked in lemon juice (I'm assuming it's to keep them fresh but I really don't know) I just did it cause the recipe said to and I didn't want to ignore it without a reason (with a reason I would have been glad too, of course)
The wonderful amazing almond paste. It's so good I could have just stopped right there sat down and eaten it all by itself. This was definitely a very important "taste test" moment. Didn't want to poison anyone you know... But ya, seriously amazing tasting.
The dough was just normal pie crust type stuff... (wow, I am so descriptive and specific...) I decided to use white flour and broke my rule (It's more what you'd call "a guideline" than an actual rule) of using only pastry flour when I bake. I did not regret it. Pastry flour just doesn't work for pie crusts.
All put together. The figs I ended up with were rather ripe so I didn't get perfect round slices. But that's okay! I've been told taste is more important than looks. I still don't quite believe that but for this time I'll just go with it.
Mmmmmmmmm! Finally finished. Beautiful, mouthwatering pastry. Baked to perfection. The whiffs of sweet almond and fig floating from it were almost too much to bear. Would I be able to restrain myself? Or would I consume the whole thing immediately?!
It was hard to resist it's voice calling to me "Alyssa, I'm all yours. Yours alone. I'm not to be shared. We should be exclusive. Just you and me in this relationship. No one else to bother us. Just us, us alone." But I had to resist the temptation! I had to be strong! I mean isn't that what every girl wants to hear?
But I can proudly say I resisted the temptation. I resisted it's little voice in my ear trying to drag me down the path of evil and vice. Thank you. thank you. Yes, t must have been God's intervention because I know something outside of myself saved this pastry from it's immediate demise.
Haha, but to be serious. It really is an amazing recipe. My mum even broke from her gluten-free diet to have some. For days afterwords she would tell me just how amazing it was and how perfect. My daddy was immensely pleased with the use of his figs. And I was pleased with how it turned out as well. And oh but that almond paste...
~Alyssa <3
That sounds amazing!!!
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