Rustic food is sometimes considered messy. Really, it refers to something simple, not fussy, and maybe even thought of as "from the countryside." I think it just means a dish that hasn't been coifed and perfected. And sometimes, who needs all the fuss???

And while food should look appetizing...I would much rather have something that looks good and tastes AMAZING, than an artistic vision that doesn't taste great or even any better.

Sometimes, food styling makes me think about my elementary art teacher who always told us to turn things into a "happy accident"...which probably came from Bob Ross, but it's a pretty terrific philosophy. A crostata is basically a freely formed pie and it's meant to be a little messy. The less perfect it looks, the better. The edges of the pie crust are folded over and there is no top crust. Instead, the fruity center is open and sprinkled with a sweet crumb topping. And with apple season in full force, they have a starring roll in this dish.

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Ingredients for Apple Crostata

• Refrigerated Pie Crust
• Apples
• Orange Juice
• Cinnamon
• Corn Starch
• Crumb Topping: Brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, butter

What is the difference between a crostata and a galette??

Crostata is an Italian term, while galette is French. Basically, they mean the same thing. It is a free form pastry with fruit.

Can I make a crostata ahead of time?

Absolutely. I wouldn't make it more than one day ahead of time. Reheat for 8-12 minutes in the oven for best results.

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