pastry
This Blackberry Cobbler which I made for dessert on Mother’s Day comes from the Food & Wine website. It originates from a housekeeper and southern cook who liked to refer to herself as a “butter cook" to signify her fondness for classic, old-style Southern recipes.
The pastry is quickly made in a food processor, and chilled for at least a half hour before rolling. The blackberries are the star of the show and are bursting with flavor enhanced by the sugar, lemon juice, nutmeg and melted butter.
Served warm or at room temperature a generous helping of this Blackberry Cobbler with a scoop of good vanilla ice cream is the perfect ending to a southern dinner.
Blackberry Cobbler (Food & Wine Website)
serves 8
1 and ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 and ¼ cups plus ½ teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold solid vegetable shortening
4 tablespoons cold unssalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces
¼ cup ice water
Six ½-pint baskets of large blackberries
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1. In a food processor, pulse the flour with the ½ teaspoon of sugar and the salt until combined. Add the vegetable shortening and pulse 5 or 6 times, until the mixture resembles small peas. Add the cold butter and pulse 5 or 6 times, until the mixture resembles peas. Add the ice water and pulse 5 or 6 times, just until the pastry is evenly moistened.
2. Transfer the pastry to a lightly floured surface and knead just until it comes together. Flatten the pastry into a 6-inch disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, toss the blackberries with the remaining 1 and ¼ cups of sugar, the lemon juice, nutmeg, and 1/3 cup of flour. Let stand at room temperature, stirring gently once or twice, until slightly juicy, about 15 minutes. Fold in the melted butter. Transfer the fruit to a round 2-quart glass or ceramic baking dish. (I used an oval dish).
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the pastry out to a ¼-inch thickness that is slightly larger than the baking dish. Drape the pastry over the berries. Trim the overhang to ½ inch and fold it under itself, pressing the pastry onto the rim of the dish. Crimp the edge decoratively and make 3 slashes in the center of the pastry.
5. Bake the cobbler for 1 hour, or until the filling is bubbling and the pastry is golden. Cover the edges with foil if the crust browns too quickly. Let cool for 20 minutes before serving.
The pastry can be frozen for up to 1 month. The cobbler can be made early in the day and kept at room temperature. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
