When I am in a pinch for time but want something special for dessert, I'll make a crostata. Sometimes called a "galette" in French cooking, this free-form tart has endless variations.

A crostata is made by rolling out a slightly sweet pastry dough into a large round. The fruit is placed in the center of the pastry, and the dough is pulled up around the fruit and folded over to create a rustic looking tart, rather than a perfect-looking formal fruit tart.

The unassuming appearance can be a good thing. Even my friends who fear pastry making have great success with this recipe, because it doesn't have to be picture-perfect. The rough country look also expands the opportunity for variation. I have seen versions that feature thick raspberry jam, fresh pitted cherries, apricots and nectarines, rhubarb and apples, to name a few. Quick tip: Make sure to adjust the amount of sugar you add, depending on the sweetness of the fruit you select.

Roll out the pastry dough to a large 13-inch circle. I keep extra flour on the pastry slab and rolling pin to keep the dough from sticking. You'll notice that you can immediately roll out the dough. The reason is that I use frozen butter that keeps the dough sufficiently chilled. I also use white pastry flour that has a lower gluten content and does not need to rest. If you are using all-purpose flour, you can chill it for a half hour before rolling out. If you are using pre-made dough, defrost as directed and then continue.

Fresh, juicy blueberries are the star of this easy holiday dessert. It's a real crowd pleaser for kids and adults alike. I like to serve this warm, so I will bake it an hour or two before serving. Don't forget a scoop of French vanilla ice cream to accompany this rustic pie.

Tasty tips

--Make sure to place the crostata on a rimmed baking sheet to avoid dripping and burning the oven. You can line the rimmed baking sheet with foil for easier clean-up.

--Use your thumb and forefinger to make the pleats in the pastry.

--Look for pastry flour at gourmet shops or online.

Blueberry Crostata

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