La Cocotte Verte

Fast, tasty, and beautiful — what more could one want from a dessert? A galette is a rustic, freeform tart. Sweet apples such as Golden Delicious or Gala work better than tart ones such as Granny Smith in this recipe, but be sure the apples are fresh and crisp rather than mushy, or they will be too soft when cooked. Using a mixture of red and gold apples makes an extra-handsome tart.

No, it’s not a Tarte Tatin. It’s still delicious, and much less fiddly to make. Tart apples are caramelized, flavored with Calvados, and enriched with a little cream, then baked under golden puff pastry. Because the juicy filling is below the crust, rather than on top of it, the crust stays crisp and flaky. Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche, and a dash of cinnamon.