Hello there, my name is Zara Ali and I am excited to share with you my latest recipe creation! This Savory Summer Berry Galette with Herbed Goat Cheese is the perfect combination of sweet and tangy flavors, all wrapped up in a warm, flaky crust. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
Zara Ali is a Pakistani-American writer and filmmaker, currently based in New York City. She is passionate about exploring themes of cultural identity and migration through her work.
Zara Ali currently resides in USA and grew up in Pakistan.
Growing up in a Pakistani household, food has always been an important part of my culture. We took pride in preparing delicious meals and gathering together as a family to enjoy them. While this recipe may seem unconventional, the use of fresh herbs and traditional goat cheese makes it feel like a familiar taste of home.
The galette is actually a French dish that has been around since medieval times. It was originally made with a savory filling but has since evolved to include sweet fillings as well. The beauty of a galette is that it’s meant to be rustic and imperfect, which takes the pressure off of creating a perfect pie. The addition of herbed goat cheese in this recipe adds an unexpected twist that pairs perfectly with the sweet summer berries. It’s a fun and creative way to showcase the flavors of the season while also adding a touch of sophistication to any meal. So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
What you need
Whoever said that dessert can’t be served as an appetizer clearly hasn’t tried this Savory Summer Berry Galette with Herbed Goat Cheese! This delicious recipe combines sweet summer berries and tangy herbed goat cheese, all wrapped in a flaky pastry crust and drizzled with a fresh herb sauce. It’s perfect for any summer gathering or weeknight dinner and the best part? It’s easy to make! First, prepare the berries and make the pastry dough using flour, sugar, and cubed butter, which is mixed in a food processor until it resembles course crumbs. Next, prepare the herb sauce by whisking olive oil, garlic, and fresh thyme leaves together. Then, roll out the pastry dough and crumble the goat cheese on top, followed by the berries, and finally, fold the edges of the pastry up and over the berries, pleating as needed. Bake for 35-40 minutes and serve warm or at room temperature. Your guests will never guess that this appetizer is actually dessert in disguise!
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour – The foundation of the pastry dough. It provides structure and texture to the galette. Gluten-free flour can be used as a substitute.
- Granulated sugar – Used to sweeten the pastry dough and the berry filling. Coconut sugar or honey can be used as alternatives.
- Unsalted butter, cold and cubed – Creates a flaky texture in the pastry dough. Vegan butter can be used as a substitute.
- Ice water – Used to bring the pastry dough together. Substitute non-dairy milk for a vegan version.
- Assorted fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) – The star of the galette! Use any combination of fresh berries as desired.
- Herbed goat cheese – Adds a savory element to the galette and complements the sweet berries. Can be substituted with feta or another type of cheese.
- Fresh thyme leaves – Used to flavor the herb sauce drizzled over the galette. Fresh rosemary or basil can be used as alternatives.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Used in the herb sauce to add flavor and help emulsify the ingredients. Substitute with any neutral oil.
- Garlic clove, minced – Adds a savory element to the herb sauce. Omit or substitute with garlic powder for a milder flavor.
Utensils:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Food processor – Optional. Can use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour instead.
- Small bowl – Needed for the herb sauce.
- Whisk – Needed for the herb sauce.
Herbed Goat Cheese
Oh, goat cheese! I have to say, I love this ingredient! It is creamy, tangy and slightly salty, all at the same time. It’s also a great source of protein and healthy fats. In this recipe, we use herbed goat cheese, which means goat cheese that has been mixed with herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil. This not only adds a lovely flavor to the cheese but also pairs perfectly with the sweet summer berries. While some people may not like goat cheese, I think this recipe could win them over. You can also use feta or another type of cheese if goat cheese doesn’t tickle your fancy.
Fresh Thyme Leaves
Thyme is one of my go-to herbs, and there’s a reason for that! It has a lovely aroma and flavor that is both earthy and slightly minty. In this recipe, we use fresh thyme leaves, which add a burst of fresh summer flavor to the herb sauce that’s drizzled over the galette. Thyme is also packed with health benefits, such as antioxidants and vitamins C and A. Not to mention, it’s known to have anti-inflammatory properties and is said to soothe sore throats and coughs. Plus, since it’s a pretty hardy herb, it can be grown indoors or outdoors, making it easy to always have on hand. Overall, fresh thyme is an affordable and versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide variety of recipes.
What to serve it with?
One of my favorite ways to serve this Savory Summer Berry Galette with Herbed Goat Cheese is with a refreshing summer salad. I love tossing together some mixed greens, fresh berries, and a light vinaigrette to balance out the flavors of the galette. The sweetness of the berries in the salad pairs perfectly with the tanginess of the goat cheese and the flaky pastry dough. It’s a light and satisfying meal, perfect for a warm summer evening. Plus, it’s a great way to get an extra serving of greens in! As someone who values fresh and wholesome ingredients in my cooking, serving this galette with a side salad is a go-to option for me.
Summary
Well, that’s all for now. I hope you enjoyed cooking and eating this Savory Summer Berry Galette with Herbed Goat Cheese and that it brought a touch of seasonal freshness to your table! Before you go, I’d love to hear from you. Did you try this recipe with a different type of berry or herb? What salad did you pair it with? Leave a comment and let me know your take on this sweet and savory delight. And don’t forget to snap a photo and share it on social media with the hashtag #ZarasSavoryGalette – I can’t wait to see your delicious creations!
Here’s the recipe:
Savory Summer Berry Galette with Herbed Goat Cheese
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling Pin
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Sheet
- Sharp Knife
- cutting board
- Food processor
- small bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups All-purpose flour
- ¼ cup Granulated sugar
- ½ cup Unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3-4 tablespoons Ice water
- 3 cups Assorted fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- 4 ounces Herbed goat cheese
- 1 tablespoon Fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Garlic clove, minced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the berries - Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Rinse and pat dry the berries, then hull and quarter the strawberries, and leave the raspberries and blueberries whole. Place the berries in a large mixing bowl.
- Make the pastry dough - In a food processor, combine the flour and sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing until the dough comes together in a ball. Remove the dough from the food processor and shape it into a disk. Wrap the disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
- Prepare the herb sauce - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, and fresh thyme leaves. Set aside until ready to use.
- Roll out the pastry - On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry dough into a 12-inch (30 cm) circle. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet.
- Add the herbed goat cheese and berries - Crumble the herbed goat cheese onto the pastry dough, leaving a 2-inch (5 cm) border around the edges. Add the prepared berries on top of the goat cheese, spreading them out evenly. Fold the edges of the pastry dough up and over the berries, pleating as needed to make it fit.
- Bake and serve the galette - Bake the galette for 35-40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the berries are bubbling. Remove the galette from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, drizzled with the herb sauce.
