Crusta Recipes

WHISKEY CRUSTA

Steps:

• Rub cut end of half lemon around rim of a small (3- to 4-ounce) wineglass, then dip glass in extra sugar. Using a vegetable peeler, carefully pare the lemon so peel comes off in one piece. Lower peel into glass to make a kind of cup.
• Stir remaining ingredients in a shaker with a handful of ice for one minute and strain into glass.

BRANDY CRUSTA

Steps:

• Take a small wine glass, wet the rim with lemon juice, then dip in sugar to create an even sugar rim on the glass.
• Using a Y-peeler. begin at the top of the lemon and peel a long, continuous twist, using as much of the skin as possible. Carefully position this twist inside the prepared glass, creating an internal spiral of lemon peel that reaches the top of the glass.
• Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until cold, about 15 seconds. Strain into the prepared glass.

BRANDY CRUSTA

Steps:

• Combine 2 ounces cognac, 1 teaspoon each cherry and orange liqueur, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 2 dashes angostura bitters in a shaker. Fill with ice, cover and shake well. Strain into a chilled sugar-rimmed cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.

APPLE CROSTATA

Steps:

• Combine 1 1/2 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter using 2 knives or a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Mix water and vanilla extract together in a small bowl. Stir into flour mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough comes together. Gently roll into a ball and flatten slightly. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Toss apples with 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons flour in a large bowl.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll dough out to a 12-inch circle on a floured work surface. Transfer to the baking sheet. Arrange apple slices in the center of the circle, leaving a 2-inch border all around. Fold up border over apples, pinching together slightly.
• Combine 1 tablespoon sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle over apples.
• Bake crostata in the preheated oven until crust is golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes.

CROSTATA DOUGH

Steps:

• Cut butter into 1/2 inch pieces and put in freezer.
• Put dry ingredients in cuisinart and pulse to mix.
• Add butter, pulse until you have pea sized bits of butter.
• With machine running add water and stop BEFORE you have a solid mass.
• It should be crumbly.
• Dump out, divide in half and form each half into flat disks.
• Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Roll dough into a rough circle and place on sheet pan with parchment.
• Sprinkle pastry with 1/2 the cinnamon sugar.
• Place fruit filling in center 2/3 of pastry, sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.
• Fold sides 1/3 of the way in toward center all the way around, leaving a 2/3 of the fruit exposed.
• With your thumb press down on the outside edge of the pastry circle to seal.
• Baked at 400 until pastry is nicely browned.
• Cool.

BRANDY CRUSTA

Steps:

• Rub the rim of a 4-ounce cocktail glass or wineglass with lemon and dip into sugar. Put the lemon or orange rind and the cherry into the glass. Combine ice, bitters, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice and brandy in a mixing glass and stir. Strain into the prepared glass. Add a slice of orange.