Lunch: Apple Crostata with Cheddar Crust

Cheddar in the pie dough and fresh apples in the filling give this dessert a rustic charm. Serving idea: Farmhouse-style cheddar cheese (murrayscheese.com) pairs well with this crostata.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Lemon, Apples

Health and fertility benefits of Apple Crostata with Cheddar Crust

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Apples will improve your body's sensitivity to insulin (Reference: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/27/1/281.full)

Ingredients

1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 c. apricot preserves
1 disk Cheddar Pie Dough
2 tart apples, such as Granny Smith or Gala, plus 2 McIntosh apples
all-purpose flour
1 large egg
Coarse sanding sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions

Make the crust: Roll out dough to a 13-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick, on a lightly floured surface. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Make the filling: Toss together apples, granulated sugar, flour, lemon juice, and cinnamon.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spread filling over dough, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border. Fold edges in to form a crust; brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Refrigerate until edges are firm, about 30 minutes.
Bake crostata until apples are tender and crust is golden, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Let cool slightly. Brush apples with apricot preserves.

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