A Bit of News

Hello! Welcome! 

As you can see, things are looking a bit spiffed up around here, mostly due to the lovely and talented Danielle Bellert. I've also finally switched over from blogger to my very-own custom url. It only took five years...Don't forget to update your readers!

Also, you may notice over there in the right hand column is a little bit of news. Actually it's kind of crazy big news, but I am trying to keep it cool. I am writing a book! With Ten Speed Press! A real book, with a hard cover, filled with all of the same things I love to write about on this blog and it will be straight-up packed with photos (film and digital!). If you have talked to me in the last couple of years about writing a book (which inevitably comes up when you are pals with lots of food media peeps) you have probably heard me say some version of, "No, I don't think I want to write a book." or "What unique thing do I have to share?" or "Maybe someday, but not now." All of that was definitely true, but part of me was searching and hoping for a long term, intensive project so when an opportunity presented itself and the time felt right, I just went for it. Phew.

While writing the book I'll still be writing my column over at Food52, freelancing, updating this blog and keeping up with all of my social media accounts. I hope you will continue to follow along!

Thank you for all of your support! 

p.s. I'm sure there will be some kinks to work out and broken links here and there so if you notice any problems with the new blog please email me and let me know: apt2bbakingco@gmail.com Thanks!

Apple and Frangipane Tart

Let's dust things off here a bit, shall we? Last I checked, we were in the height of summer making berry tarts full of gorgeous warm weather things. Now the air has cooled, the leaves have started to fall and the market is chock full of apples and pears. I have already taken a customary trip upstate to pick apples (and grapes!) and am elbow deep in fall baking projects (and some other fun stuff I will share soon). I have also discovered the russet apple. Actually, I guess it would be more accurate to say that I have finally noticed the russet apple because they have been around since the 1800s. They are pretty unassuming as far as apples go with rough, leathery skin, but the flavor is unbeatable. Beyond that gnarly exterior is super firm white flesh with hints of maple and nuts and I am already dreaming about the crumb topped pie I am going to make with them... If you live in NY, you can find russet apples at the Locust Grove stand on Wednesdays at the Union Square Greenmarket.

The first thing I made with my russets was this wonderfully simple tart from Izy Hossack's new book, Top with Cinnamon. It comes together quickly in one bowl (well, actually it's a saucepan, but you get my drift) and it's gluten free. The original recipe called for sliced plums, which would be totally delicious, but I wanted to put my russets to work so I used one of those instead. I'm sure the tart would be equally lovely with pears or any other fruit, really.

For more fall recipes, check out the round-up I put together last year here.

In other news, I finally joined Steller. If you like, join me there for fun food and travel stories, username:yossyarefi.

p.s. Will any of you NYC folks be participating in Enid's annual Apple Pie Contest on October 19 Maybe I'll see you there...

Apple Frangipane Tart

adapted from Top with Cinnamon by Izy Hossack

90 grams (3 ounces, 6 tablespoons) unsalted butter

140 grams (5 ounces, 2/3 cup) granulated sugar

4 tablespoons maple syrup

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

95 grams (3 1/4 ounce, 1 cup) ground almonds

70 grams (2 1/2 ounces, 3/4 cup) oat flour

1 large baking apple, sliced thinly

1 tablespoon confectioner's sugar

Preheat oven to 180ºC/350ºF. Grease and line a 7x10 or 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment. I used a 10-inch tart pan that worked well. Don't skip the parchment paper!

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar and syrup. Beat in the egg, almond extract, salt and baking powder. Stir in the almonds and oat flour until smooth.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and arrange the apple slices on top in a decorative pattern. Bake the tart for 25-30 minutes until golden. Cool the tart for 15 minutes then dust with the confectioner's sugar and serve warm or at room temperature.