Fall Flavors

22 Nov

This year is the second year that I get to make Thanksgiving dinner. Last year, although I was a vegetarian, I still cooked the normal dinner (including turkey) for the rest of my family, as well as a veggie entree for myself.

This year though, I’m cooking a full on vegan feast, as we’re going to my aunt’s house, and there are four vegetarians amongst us.

And whenever I get to make something for occasions like this, I always want to show off a little. Prove to my (sometimes hostile) family members that vegetarian and vegan food can be just as good. (If not better.)

And the best part of the meal has to be dessert. At least for me. I did go to pastry school, after all. And I don’t like pumpkin pie. And there are so many good fall flavors out there, that pumpkin doesn’t need to hog the table. So I decided to make something with these:

Pears and figs, yum! I also wanted to be rustic, so I decide to make a galette.

Pear Fig Galette

For the dough:
1 1/4 c flour
1/2 t salt
1 t sugar
4 oz. futter
2-4 T ice water

Mix together the dry ingredients, and then cut the butter into the dough, working it with your hands until it resembles coarse cornmeal. Add the water, one tablespoon at a time, and stop when the dough starts to come together.

Roll out the dough until it’s thin, about 1/8 of an inch. Cut into 4 large circles (About 6 inches in diameter). I used a bowl  as a cutter.

I only cut three here, but if you re roll the dough you can get one more out of it!

Place the circles on a sheet pan lined with a silpat or sprayed parchment. Spread a tablespoon of this stuff on each one, leaving about an inch around the edges.

It’s not required, but it adds a nice touch! And it’s amazing!

Now for the filling:

1 bosc pear, sliced or chopped
4 figs, sliced thinly
1 T cornstarch
2 T sugar
pinch of salt
1 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg

Mix the pear with all of the dry ingredients. Pile on top of each pastry circle, still leaving a rim around the edge. Place the sliced figs on top.

Using the edge of the dough, wrap up around the fruit, so it looks like this:

Spray the crust with cooking spray, or brush with butter or coconut oil, so it browns. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. Serve a la mode with (no dairy) ice cream!

Overall, I thought this was really good, and it looked just the way I wanted it to! That being said though, I think I’m going to make something else for Thanksgiving dessert. I’ve already go another recipe up my sleeve! But I loved the pears and figs together, perfect fall flavors!

What do you eat for dessert on Thanksgiving? Do you like pumpkin pie? 

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13 Responses to “Fall Flavors”

  1. Alexandra November 22, 2011 at 9:03 am #

    What a delicious dessert! :)
    My favorite thanksgiving dessert is pecan pie with vanilla ice cream mmmm
    Have fun making your vegan feast!

  2. Em (@Pureglow16) November 22, 2011 at 10:50 am #

    i am a pumpkin pie freak!!! haha

  3. Rachel (tea and chocolate) November 22, 2011 at 11:47 am #

    I LOVE TJ’s fig butter! I bet it would go perfectly with pears. I’m sure your family will love that dessert!

    My great grandma’s recipe for pumpkin pie is my favorite. I usually have a small slice of apple pie on Thanksgiving too. :)

  4. pbbrittany November 22, 2011 at 12:19 pm #

    I’ve never had figs before but this looks like a really intersting/good dessert!

    • A Tablespoon of Liz November 22, 2011 at 2:44 pm #

      aahh you have to try them! Figs are so deliciously amazing.. I can’t get enough of them! lol.

  5. Gluten and Dairy Free Living November 22, 2011 at 2:50 pm #

    I couldn’t agree more to what you said about “showing off” to non-vegetarians. I have been both vegan and vegetatian and nothing was better than convincing a red-blooded meated eater that eating vegetarian is easy, delicious and healthy. Let us know what you T-Day menu will be.

  6. LightOnMyFeet November 22, 2011 at 5:07 pm #

    I usually always have apple pie for Thanksgiving, but I’m putting a huge twist on it this year. This looks so good and really seasonal! I really want to try fig butter, or a fig, I haven’t tried either.

  7. crazyveggiegirl November 22, 2011 at 5:52 pm #

    You are my hero. That looks so amazingly amazing.

  8. Christine November 22, 2011 at 11:32 pm #

    Arrgh! Once again, makin’ me jelly with all your Trader Joe’s goodies. These galettes look great — and the ice cream on the top makes them look even better… now I’ve gotta get me some fig jam. :D

  9. Mr. Shiny November 23, 2011 at 1:00 am #

    Wow that looks good. Really good.

  10. watatsumisanjin November 24, 2011 at 4:02 pm #

    Oh wow!! This looks so good! I love easy/quick desserts, and this one will definitely goes in my “to-do” recipe list!
    Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to try it :)

  11. veghotpot November 25, 2011 at 6:20 pm #

    I’m going to make it my new years resolution to learn to make pastry! These look so delicious, I’ve never had pears and figs together but I think it sounds awesome! X

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