The term “Basic” has kind of moved from an internet buzzword to a cultural phenomenon in the last couple weeks. Do I dare call it this months ice bucket challenge?!
“Basic” is used to describe a woman, likely in her twenties and was very eloquently defined recently in New York Magazine as “a terminally boring Sex and The City viewer and consumer of Pumpkin Spice Lattes.”
Everyone knows a “basic” girl. They are all over Facebook and definitely Instagram. In fact “#basic” has been used just about one million times on IG.
You can even take quizzes to find out just how “basic” you are.
Admittedly, I got sucked in and had to participate. Surprisingly, the quiz said I wasn’t that basic.
However, I am pretty sure I was automatically disqualified the instant I said juice cleanses don’t interest me.
Or that I swore off diet coke years ago. (However, I probably still got partial points for calling it a “DC” in my mind…)
Definitely disqualified when I said that I am not just not a fan of Jennifer Lawrence, but that I kind of hate her. And not in the “Oh my gosh. I can’t even… She’s flaw-less.” kind of hate her… But rather the, “She’s beyond obnox and I am pretty sure she is faking it” kind of hate her.
…. More partial points for the abbreviated “obnoxious.”
The thing is, any woman from 17-32 is a little basic.
I still quote Mean Girls… daily. I woke up early to watch Kate Middleton’s wedding and I will tell my daughters about how fabulous it was. And, really… what is SO wrong with a boozy brunch?!
So, I have decided, we all need to stop being so ashamed about it.
Especially this time of year. In the start of autumn, us “basic bitches” need to stick together.
I get the rush and excitement you get about your first Pumpkin Spice Latte and I don’t even like PSL’s.
The first Pumpkin Spice Latte translates to the excitement for fall.
(However, if it’s eighty degrees and you are ordering it “iced?” I am sorry. Stop.)
I feel the same excitement the instant I put on my first over sized, cable knit sweater of the season, which is apparently very “basic” of me.
And so is enjoying a fall spiced candle.
Or putting a decent amount of time into the perfect handmade Halloween costume.
Or enjoying a bonfire on a crisp night.
Or wearing boots, leggings and a flannel to said bonfire.
… I’m sorry. It’s a bonfire. What am I supposed to wear!?
So, whatever.
It’s probably super “basic” of me to respond with “whatever… but, what—ever.
I like going to the apple orchard. Seeing the trees where my apples grew. Meeting the farmers. Loving on their cozy gift shop full of apple butter, mulling spices and cider.
I love taking the apples I picked out and making this delicious and super basic (basic… as in simple to create basic. Not as in totally awesome chick who is probably my best friend already “basic.”) rustic Apple Crostata inspired by Ina Garten.
PS- Ina is the author of “Back to Basics.” Ahead of her time? Maybe… 🙂
A crostata is an Italian baked tart, similar to a pie.
… but a little less basic.
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 tablespoon salt
- 1 stick of very cold butter, diced
- 2 tablespoons or ice water, plus more if needed
- About 3 large (1 1/2 pounds) macintosh, Macoun, or Empire apples
- 1/4 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 4 tablespoons or 1/2 stick of cold butter, diced
- Place the flour, sugar, and salt in the food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse a few times to combine.
- Add the butter and pluse about 15 times.or until the butter is similar in size to peas.
- With the motor running add the cold water through the feeding tube.
- Pulse to combine but stop before the dough becomes a solid mass.
- If more cold water is needed, add only 1/4 a teaspoon at a time.
- Place the dough on a well floured surface and shape into a disk.
- Wrap disk in saran and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough into a circle on a lightly floured surface. Transfer it to a baking sheet.
- Peel, core and cut the apples into eighths and then cut each wedge into three chunks.
- Toss the apple chunks with the orange zest in a bowl.
- Cover the dough with the apple chunks leaving a 1 inch border.
- Combine the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and allspice in the bowl of a food processor with a steel blade with a few pulses.
- Add the butter and pulse until crumbly.
- Rub filling through your fingers until it begins to hold together and then sprinkle over the apples.
- Fold the dough border over the apples to enclose the crostata.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until the crust is golden and the apples are tender.
- Great to serve warm or at room temperature.
- I used Macoun apples. They were recommended by the orchard as great baking apples as well as just for eating.