This week went by in a haze almost as thick as the one that hovered over Civic Centre this past Sunday during the 420 festival. I’d like to say with certainty that the thick clouds around the Capitol building are bulging rain clouds but one can’t entirely be sure 🙂
Not that I actively participated in the annual Colorado tradition centred around our most laid back of recreational activities; smoking weed 🙂 The air was thick, heavy and sweetly scented. There were throngs of people and just as many police.
We happen to stumble upon the festivities as we drove through downtown Denver. I knew it was going on sometime (4/20) but the date just escaped our minds until we were stuck in traffic wondering why there was so much traffic on Easter Sunday. Then looking around and seeing the obvious state of oblivion of so many, we understood.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and for those observing Passover, I hope that you all had a grand feast too. Last week was a short week for the kids and my hubby was off for three days too, so it ended up being a very nice weekend for us as well.
I was in Fort Collins doing a cooking demo for Specialty Appliance on Saturday and afterwards we took a drive to Estes Park. It was a beautiful day, albeit a bit cloudy with a scattering of ominous clouds but none threatened us until much later.
Like first time tourists, we walked through the little town of Estes Park, dipping in and out of the little shops that line the main street. We found an old time candy store with the sweetest of owners and a wonderland of sweets. We grabbed a few handfuls to occupy our hands and our mouths as we strolled the little town. A much needed snack of hot, gooey pizza pie and we piled back into the car, satisfied from a successful day at work and a great day out, and drove back home.
We don’t celebrate Easter in our family but it’s still a wonderful day and always filled with that holiday vibe. That’s what I love about all holidays, whether we celebrate them or not, the whole day has that special family and holiday feeling.
Our Sunday started off with a much anticipated viewing of the new Captain America movie. It was action packed and exciting, as expected and was enjoyed by all, especially our resident geek and comic book lover, my husband. A drive to downtown Denver to walk the luxury boutiques of Cherry Creek ended with a perfect and impromptu picnic at City Park.
It was an absolutely beautiful day for a picnic and I’ve decided that if we don’t plan one, the weather holds out better for us! We never have any success with planned picnics; it always hails, snows, rains or lightning strikes! A quick trip to the nearby Whole Foods provided us with all our picnic supplies. It was just nice to be with the family and enjoy time with the children.
So, this galette or crostata or tart, whatever you want to call it, is delicious. It’s the last instalment of the cooking for the guys series. Their dessert was this Apple and Rhubarb Galette. I just realised that I love this combination so much that it has appeared in my blog like 5 times! So, I promise, no more apple and rhubarb! At least for this spring, anyway.
This isn’t a fancy, unique or particularly difficult thing to make, but it’s a thing of beauty and people are always impressed, and it tastes fabulous. Lots of great reasons to make it (that, and the fact that I have been so busy I haven’t cooked or photographed for the blog in weeks and I have nothing else to post!)
It’s delicious; make it. Unless you are one of those people who doesn’t like rhubarb, then I don’t know what to say.
Add more water, a tablespoon at a time until the dough holds together when pinched between two fingers.
If the dough holds, tip out the mixture onto the counter and knead gently to bring the pastry together.
Once the dough has chilled for 30 minutes, lay out the disc on a lightly floured counter or on a piece of parchment paper (preferred)
Of course, you don't need a food processor to make the pastry but it does make life simpler. To make pastry by hand, rub the butter cubes into the flour. Add 3 tablespoons of water and the vinegar and try and bring the dough together. Add water as needed in tablespoons. Bring the dough together by kneading and then roll into a disc and chill. Follow the rolling instructions above.
Here I made 2 smaller galettes that cut into 6 pieces each. I have to mention that I baked these in a Jenn-Air convection double oven and the bottom crust on the galettes was phenomenal. The oven did such a fantastic job browning the bottom and the top crusts. Galettes, crostata and pies, in general, have a hard time not getting soggy bottom crusts. This oven made them ultra crisp that even after sitting and cooling whilst everyone ate, they still remained crisp when I cut into them an hour later. I was well impressed with the browning and the ease of use of the Jenn-Air ovens. Once again, this is my opinion and I wasn’t paid to rate or review!
I’m a little behind catching up with everyone’s news so please forgive me. I’ll be round the next couple of days. The kids’ long weekend kind of threw a spanner in my works but it was pleasant. At least, I didn’t have to pack lunches. Hope you’re all having an awesome week so far!
Oh, I LOVE rhubarb – I haven’t seen any here in stores yet… I hope we’ll get some soon. It looks so lovely Nazneen – such a gorgeous colour too! I’m really jealous. I think my parents-in-law have a plant in their backyard, but God knows when that’s going to pop it’s head up… I’m surprised it doesn’t freeze to death each year.
This is such a pretty galette! I’ve only made one (apple with frangipane) but it was so good that I wonder why I don’t make it more often. So little time, I guess. And I’m so glad you had that lovely impromptu picnic. You are so right about timing. Any time we plan a barbecue party, the weather threatens rain and is uncertain up til the very hour of it! I hope you are enjoying some good weather now!
Those. mountains. I’m so impressed – we haven’t any here… basically until you reach France. And come on, bring on more apple and rhubarb! (Sneak em in : ) )
As was mentioned previously in the comments, every year my rhubarb pops up in my vegetable tubs, and every year I say I’m going to bake something…this year I am absolutely going to make your galette!!
Every year when rhubarb recipes start showing up, I always have to comment that I’ve never cooked with it and every year I swear I’m going to do so. Love your photos of our beautiful Capitol dome. I noticed it was unveiled from the construction and shining a couple weeks ago. And LOL, can’t believe you happened upon the pot celebration. And Estes is one of my favorite destinations. Now I’m feeling the Estes pull.
I wait for rhubarb to pop up!! Love thst stuff 🙂 yes, the 420 was quite a surprise and it was just funny!
Nazneen – I, too, am way behind as I have been traveling for work and the poor wifi available has made it difficult to keep up! You got around to it MUCH quicker than I did! 🙂 So funny that we both posted on rhubarb last week! Great minds, eh? I love the sound of your galette and must try the apple/rhubarb combination as you are the second person to recommend it! I had better do it quickly, as rhubarb season won’t be with us much longer!
I figured you were busy since I hadn’t seen you around FB. Hotel Wifi is the worst isn’t it?? I’m still way behind and can’t seem to catch up! Hope you’re faring better!
Delicious Galette! I love rhubarb but need to think of other things to do with it than a crumble. Ha downtown must have been interesting! We don’t see that here with it not being legal.
I love crumble though! It’s the first thing I make with it every year 🙂 Then I try to get creative 🙂
Nazneen, this is a beautiful galette, apple and rhubarb is a classic pairing isn’t it? I laughed at your comment about rain/wind/hail at planned picnics, we’ve started doing impromptu picnics for the same reason!
Hope you had a great week, and thanks for this post – I’ve learned about a festival that I did not know existed in America!!
This festival specifically happens in CO! Not too many states have it legal yet. We’ve decided that impromptu is the way to go!!
Yes, this is beautiful and I just know it is delicious. Rhubarb and apples…..you just can’t go wrong there. My rhubarb is almost ready to cut. 🙂
Nazneen, your galette looks delicious, I yet have to try the combination of rhubarb and apple…love the color of it.
Is there anything so lovely or comforting as rhubarb, apple, vanilla, and cinnamon? These look lovely, what a great little dessert!
Sounds you had fun my friend. I did not know wither that all these people will come to Denver!!! But I did not step out of the house that day. Very nice recipe Nazneen.
Apple and a rhubarb are a rocking combination and they can be used in so many ways. I think they are especially beautiful in a crumbly little galette. We enjoyed a long Easter weekend and tomorrow we have the Anzac Day holiday. I agree with you that holidays are great bonding times and the perfect excuse to do things as a family. Your weekend sounds so exciting and I love these pictures.
It was nice to actually have all the kids with us, they’re always busy with friends or school. It was a nice weekend 🙂
this galette looks such a beautiful riot of colors….we love rhubarb and apple anything together….and this recipe is making us so hungry….thanks for sharing 🙂
Sounds like you and your family had a wonderful weekend! I love the rustic harm of galette and yours look so delicious and inviting!
I love galettes for the simple fact that they are such a great way to showcase whatever fruits are in season. I tried a strawberry and rhubarb combination last week and loved it, and now with all of your apple/rhubarb recipes, I’m excited to give this combo a shot 🙂
Rhubarb hasn’t made it into our markets as yet but hopefully it will soon. Your galette looks perfectly done and must have been so tasty. I used to have Jenn Air stoves when I lived in Florida and was always happy with the way they baked.
I love rhubarb! And I love galettes. See where I’m going with this? 😉 This is terrific — thanks so much.
Galette looks absolutely mouthwatering! I did get to try rhubarb recently and I must admit I am in love with it and have them again in my refrigerator and love to try few more wonderful recipes like this!
Hi there Nanzeen! I saw your photos on instagram. I love that photo of the Colorado mountain in the background, just beautiful. Your apple and rhubarb galette looks great. I so miss rhubarb but I never see it in the markets in Asia. Love the tart and the sweet together. Have a super week. Take Care, BAM
I’ve never seen any Asian rhubarb dishes so I can imagine it’s hard to find there. I love it too, it was plentiful in London when I was growing up.
Sounds like you all had a great Sunday, even if a little smoke got in your eyes. 🙂 An impromptu picnic is the best kind. Not even the ants have time to mass and stage an attack.
Sorry to say, Nazneen, that I’m one of those people, though I can appreciate a good looking dish when it’s presented. I just won’t taste it, that’s all. That leaves all the more for you. Have a great week.
Funny you mention ants… There were a few!! Prolly because there’s always somebody having a picnic there. I know you don’t like rhubarb 🙂 you always cross my mind when I post a rhubarb recipe 🙂
I used to hate to pack lunches, too! And as for this galette, I must say that I am truly disappointed that I didn’t get a bite. You now have me hooked on rhubarb-and apples! I saw Specialty’s ad on TV. It looks like a really fun place to work!
Ugh, I really detest packing lunches but the kids won’t eat at school. Have you bought any rhubarb yet?
It’s so true that the religious holidays are really special in bringing families back together. Over here we have a four-day weekend with Easter Monday also being a public holiday. And there’s another public holiday on Friday for ANZAC Day so with that and the royal visit, we’re very much in holiday mode. Your family picnic looks really lovely and I do hope the cooking demonstration went well xx
Thanks Charlie! Yes, the demo went well and it was a nice day after too, we drove out to the mountains. It was nice to have the kids with us for a change!
Are there actually people who don’t like rhubarb? Seriously? It’s a bit like saying you don’t like chocolate 🙂 The galette looks great!
Rubarb and passion fruit are the only fruits I could never really get my head around. Red celery! And did you know it grows in the dark? And did you know that you can “hear” it growing? Freaky.
Can I begin by saying how “yummy” it looks 😉 Ok now that we got that taken care of, I am glad you all got to spend a fun weekend together. Gorgeous pics and I hope you saved me some of the Galette.
crumble or crisp. It was very good. I think I will make your galette today with the leftover rhubarb.
What a glorious way to spend Easter with a picnic in Estes Park. Thank goodness we were blessed with such beautiful weather. This galette looks wonderful.
Impromptu picnic….sounds so good! My fondest memory of a picnic is when my first born was about an year old and we would get up on Sunday morning and decide to go the banks of a nearby river, with boiled eggs, butter, toast and tea in a basket. Spent some of the most memorable moments ever.
I stayed in Estes Park for a few days while visiting Colorado last year and I fell in love with it. I am glad to hear that you guys had a great three-day holiday together. The apple-rhubarb galette seems perfect for the picnic — and very sweetlicious for my eyes… Have a a wonderful week, Nazneen!
Haha what a relaxed tradition, I bet the smoke was thickening! Luckily you had this incredible galette to come home to, what a delicious autumn combo of flavours 😀
I had no idea that festival existed, I’m stunned it’s in America. It’s the kind of festival you associate with Holland. Love the idea of all those laid back people chilling out in the centre of the city – I think!? Anyway back to the food. Great combo, apple and rhubarb. You know I’ve never made a galette so I’m going to have to give this a go, it looks delicious. GG
Earlier we used to have impromptu family outings however since past few years, due to a very demanding job schedule of my husband, we haven’t been out much. Thankfully we are going for a holiday in May and that I am really looking forward to 🙂
I so do love rhubarb – but have a hardtime finding it in my neck of the woods! Glad the weather was nice and yall got to enjoy a picnic. This galette is mouthwatering – would be lovely to have this on a picnic with some whipped cream or frozen yogurt!
Cogent Communications Ranks as the 56th Fastest Growing Company in North America on Deloitte's 2006 Technology Fast 500 List	
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 19, 2006 - Cogent Communications, Inc., one of the largest carriers of Internet traffic in the world, today announced that Cogent was ranked as the 56th fastest growing company in North America by Deloitte's 2006 Technology Fast 500 Program. Cogent made the list based on average percentage revenue growth of 4,380 percent over five years from 2001 to 2005. The average growth rate of all 500 companies named was 2,147 percent.
"To rank on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, companies must have phenomenal revenue growth over five years. Cogent has proven to be one of the fast-growth success stories in North America, and we applaud their dedication to making their vision a reality," said Tony Kern, deputy managing principal of Deloitte's Technology, Media & Telecommunications industry practice.
"Cogent's remarkable growth rate can be attributed to the clarity, focus and determination that our employees put into delivering the highest quality Internet service at the lowest prices in the industry," said Dave Schaeffer, CEO of Cogent. "It is doubly amazing that we have been able to achieve this type of growth based predominantly on customer word-of-mouth. This underscores the unprecedented value that Cogent delivers."
Cogent Communications Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCOI) is a multinational, Tier 1 facilities-based ISP ranked by Ovum-RHK as the largest provider of Ethernet services in the United States. Cogent specializes in providing businesses with high speed Internet access and point-to-point transport services. Cogent's facilities-based, all-optical IP network backbone spans 14 countries and provides IP services in approximately 90 markets located in North America and Europe.
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein, its member firms, and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is an organization of member firms around the world devoted to excellence in providing professional services and advice, focused on client service through a global strategy executed locally in nearly 150 countries. With access to the deep intellectual capital of approximately 135,000 people worldwide, Deloitte delivers services in four professional areas—audit, tax, consulting and financial advisory services—and serves more than one-half of the world's largest companies, as well as large national enterprises, public institutions, locally important clients, and successful, fast-growing global growth companies. Services are not provided by the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Verein, and, for regulatory and other reasons, certain member firms do not provide services in all four professional areas.
One hundred year old Mother Theresa Elizabeth Bolden, State Supervisor of Women for Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction (EMFJ), requested to be placed in emeritus status beginning February 1, 2018. Mother Bolden is the oldest and longest reigning of all the State Supervisors. The centenarian served nearly thirty seven years in the highly respected position in the St. Louis region. She was appointed by the late Mother Mattie McGlothen after the recommendation of the late Bishop William E. Turner.
Representing all the COGIC centenarians, the ever graceful Mother Bolden was most recently recognized by the General Assembly at the November 2017 International Convocation. Mother Bolden’s position will be filled by State Mother Josephine Gale Boyd who was elected by the credential holding women of EMFJ and subsequently approved by Jurisdictional Bishop R.J. Ward. Mother Boyd will be officially appointed at the 111th International Holy Convocation by Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis.