Homemade Whole Wheat Asiago Sweet Potato Galette: A Festive & Flavorful Holiday Recipe
Experience the rich, hearty flavors of a Whole Wheat Asiago Sweet Potato Galette – a truly ideal side dish or appetizer for any holiday meal, from Thanksgiving to Christmas. This rustic yet elegant tart features a festive filling where the sharp tang of Asiago cheese beautifully complements the sultry sweetness of tender sweet potato, all encased in a fragrant, herbaceous sage whole wheat crust. It’s not just a dish; it’s a delightful culinary centerpiece that is surprisingly EASY to prepare for your cherished family and friends!
Disclosure: I received free product and compensation from Bob’s Red Mill as part of this post. As always, all opinions and recipe are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!
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Embracing the Sweet Potato: A Seasonal Favorite
As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, my culinary focus inevitably shifts towards the rich, comforting flavors of autumn and winter. And at the heart of this seasonal transformation, for me, lies the humble yet incredibly versatile sweet potato. Oh, how I adore them! This time of year is an absolute favorite because it provides countless excuses to indulge in sweet potatoes far more often than usual, exploring their potential beyond traditional preparations. While I fondly remember the marshmallow-topped sweet potato casseroles of my childhood, my palate has matured, and I now seek out more sophisticated and savory ways to enjoy this vibrant root vegetable. This Whole Wheat Asiago Sweet Potato Galette recipe is precisely one such innovation, elevating the sweet potato to a truly extraordinary experience.
The Inspiration Behind This Savory Galette
My desire to serve sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving in a novel and inventive manner was the spark that ignited this remarkably delicious and incredibly easy galette recipe. Thanksgiving, for all its wonderful traditions, often brings with it the same tried-and-true side dishes. I wanted to create something familiar yet fresh, a dish that would surprise and delight guests while still feeling perfectly at home on a holiday spread. A galette, with its free-form, rustic charm, offers exactly that — the comforting essence of a pie or tart without the fuss of intricate crimping or a perfectly symmetrical presentation. It embraces a relaxed elegance, making it an approachable yet impressive option for any gathering.
Nailing a savory galette, however, comes down to two critical components: achieving a superb balance of flavors in the filling and crafting an absolutely killer crust. Without a flaky, flavorful foundation, even the most exquisite filling can fall flat. So, let’s begin our journey with the star of the show: the crust!
This particular galette dough recipe has been my reliable go-to for many years of successful baking. Its consistent flakiness and buttery richness have never failed me. But this time, I decided to elevate it, to amp up its character and flavor profile, making it even more special for the holiday season.
Crafting the Perfect Crust with Bob’s Red Mill Organic Whole Wheat Flour!
The secret to this enhanced crust lies in the addition of Bob’s Red Mill Organic Whole Wheat Flour. Their incredible whole wheat flour is a tried-and-true product that consistently delivers immense flavor and a wonderful richness to any baked good. What truly sets Bob’s Red Mill apart is their commitment to quality; the way they mill their flour carefully preserves all the natural flavors, fiber, and healthy nutrients inherent in the whole grains they use. This means you’re not just getting a high-quality ingredient, but one that contributes significantly to the depth of flavor and nutritional value of your dish.
This whole wheat flour pairs exceptionally well with the robust, savory flavors of this galette’s filling. Furthermore, the thoughtful addition of fresh sage directly into the dough itself truly amplifies the earthy notes of the whole grains, creating a multi-layered flavor experience from the very first bite. The subtle herbaciousness of the sage infuses the crust with an autumnal aroma that perfectly complements the sweet potato and Asiago. The texture, too, benefits from the whole wheat flour, offering a delightful bite that’s both tender and satisfyingly rustic, a testament to quality ingredients and careful preparation.
The Harmonious Filling: Sweet Potato, Asiago, and Caramelized Onion
Let’s talk about the filling – it’s where the magic truly unfolds. Thinly sliced sweet potato forms a beautiful, naturally sweet base for this savory galette. The delicate rounds arrange themselves almost like petals, creating an appealing visual as well as a delicious foundation.
The strong, nutty, and slightly sharp flavors of Asiago cheese are key here, providing a wonderful counterpoint to the inherent sweetness of the potatoes. This is perfectly balanced by the deep, mellow sweetness of caramelized onions, which add an incredible depth and umami that ties all the “harvest” flavors together. This combination provides a truly new and exciting way to experience sweet potato, moving far beyond the expected and into a realm of sophisticated savory indulgence. Each bite is a symphony of contrasting yet complementary tastes and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.
The entire dish is then finished with a vibrant, tart, and bright white wine reduction. This crucial component is not merely an afterthought; it’s the element that brings the whole galette into perfect harmony. The acidity from the reduction beautifully cuts through the richness of the cheese and the sweetness of the potatoes and onions, providing a delightful balance and an elegant sheen. It ensures that every forkful is perfectly balanced, preventing the savory elements from becoming too heavy.
Why a Galette? The Rustic Elegance
You might be wondering, “Why a galette instead of a traditional pie or tart?” The answer lies in its charming simplicity and rustic appeal. A galette is essentially a free-form, open-faced tart, often baked directly on a baking sheet. This means no fiddly pie dishes, no intricate lattice work, and no perfect edges required. Its beauty is in its imperfection and effortless elegance. This rustic nature makes it incredibly approachable for home bakers, even those who shy away from more complex pastry projects. It’s a wonderful way to showcase fresh, seasonal ingredients in a relatively low-stress format, yielding a dish that looks stunning straight out of the oven.
Perfect for Holiday Gatherings & Beyond
This Whole Wheat Asiago Sweet Potato Galette is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to start a new culinary tradition for your holiday table. Its visually appealing form and exquisite flavors make it an unforgettable addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering. Imagine the delight on your guests’ faces as they are presented with this golden-crusted, beautifully filled creation. Beyond the holidays, this savory galette is wonderfully versatile. Serve it as a sophisticated appetizer, a substantial side dish alongside roast chicken or a holiday ham, or even as a light and satisfying lunch when paired with a fresh green salad. Its hearty yet refined character makes it suitable for a wide range of occasions, adding a touch of gourmet flair wherever it appears.
Expert Tips for a Flawless Galette
Achieving galette perfection is surprisingly simple with a few key tips:
- Keep Your Dough Cold: Chilling the dough is paramount. Cold butter creates steam in the oven, leading to a flaky, tender crust. Don’t rush this step!
- Thinly Slice Sweet Potatoes: Uniform, thin slices (about 1/8 inch thick) ensure even cooking and a beautiful, layered presentation. A mandoline slicer can be a great tool for this, but a sharp chef’s knife works perfectly.
- Don’t Overfill: While tempting to pack in as much delicious filling as possible, leaving a 1.5 to 2-inch border is crucial for folding the edges securely and preventing spillage.
- Caramelize Onions Properly: Patience is key for truly caramelized onions. Cook them slowly over medium-low heat until deeply golden brown and sweet. This step develops immense flavor.
- Even Baking: Ensure your oven is fully preheated and consider rotating the baking sheet halfway through to promote even browning of the crust.
Creative Variations to Explore
While this recipe is perfect as is, feel free to get creative and customize it to your liking:
- Cheese Alternatives: Experiment with other strong, nutty cheeses like Gruyère, aged white cheddar, or even a smoked gouda for a different flavor profile.
- Herb Additions: Beyond sage, fresh rosemary or thyme can be incorporated into the dough or sprinkled over the filling for additional aromatic layers.
- Spiced Sweet Potatoes: For a warmer, slightly sweeter filling, a pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon, or allspice can be gently mixed with the sweet potatoes before layering.
- Add More Vegetables: Consider adding thinly sliced parsnips, butternut squash, or even sautéed mushrooms to the filling for extra texture and flavor.
- Make it Vegetarian/Vegan: For a vegetarian version, simply ensure your Asiago is rennet-free. To make it vegan, use plant-based butter and a good quality vegan cheese alternative for the filling.
Essential Tools for Your Galette
To embark on your galette-making adventure, having the right tools can make all the difference, transforming the process into an enjoyable culinary art. When working with doughs and pastries, I find a marble pastry board and a marble rolling pin to be indispensable. The natural coolness of the marble helps keep your dough from getting sticky and warm, which is crucial for achieving that coveted flaky texture. The substantial weight of a marble rolling pin also assists in effortlessly rolling out the dough quickly and evenly, requiring less effort on your part.
You will also definitely need a sturdy set of mixing bowls for preparing both the dough and the filling, and a reliable half-sheet baking pan to bake the galette to golden perfection. Beyond that, a sharp chef’s knife and a solid cutting board are essential for thinly and uniformly slicing the sweet potatoes, which is key for both aesthetics and even cooking. The beauty of this recipe is that much of the assembly involves working with your hands, which not only connects you more deeply to the food but also makes the entire cooking experience all the more fun and rewarding!
Whole Wheat Asiago Sweet Potato Galette Recipe
equipment
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USA Pan Bakeware Cookie Sheet
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Marble Rolling Pin
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Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
ingredients
- 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Whole Wheat Flour
- 1/4 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 tsp freshly chopped sage
- 6 Tbsp cold unsalted butter cubed into 1/2” pieces
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large or 2 small sweet potatoes peeled and thinly sliced into rounds 1/8″ thick
- 1 cup freshly grated asiago
- 3-4 sage leaves chopped
- 1 Tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp ground thyme
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/8 cup orange juice
- 3 Tbsp butter cubed
instructions
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In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, salt and sage for the dough. Using your hands, mix in half of the butter, squeezing the cubes between your fingers, until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add in the remaining butter, squeezing the cubes between your fingers once again, until the largest pieces of butter are approximately the size of a pea.
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Drizzle water over the dough and bring together, kneading 3 to 4 times. Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and cool in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
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While the dough is chilling, heat a small skillet with olive oil for the filling over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the sliced onion for the filling. Cook until the onions are tender. Add in the water and continue to cook down until the onions are caramelized and brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
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When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Roll out the galette dough into a 10” round.
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Leaving a 1 1/2 to 2-inch border, add 3/4 of the asiago cheese. Top with sweet potato slices, caramelized onion and the remaining cheese.
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Fold the pastry edge up and over the filling to create a 1” border. Brush the pastry border and edges with the melted butter.
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Bake for 35 minutes. Transfer the galette with the parchment paper onto a rack to cool for approximately 5 minutes before serving.
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While the galette is baking, make the white wine reduction. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add onion and garlic and cook until tender, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in oregano, thyme, white wine and orange juice. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, approximately 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter until melted.
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Garnish galette with a sprinkle of fresh sage and serve with the white wine reduction.