Indulge in the delectable realm of choux pastry, a culinary masterpiece that has captivated taste buds for centuries. Originating from France, choux pastry forms the base of many beloved pastries, including éclairs, profiteroles, and religieuses. Characterized by its airy and delicate texture, this pastry dough puffs up during baking, creating a hollow interior perfect for filling with an array of sweet and savory delights.
Discover the art of crafting choux pastry with our comprehensive guide, providing step-by-step instructions and expert tips to ensure success. Learn the secrets of tempering eggs, the ideal consistency of the dough, and the importance of piping techniques. As you navigate through the recipes, you'll find a diverse collection of choux pastry creations to tantalize your palate.
For a classic treat, embark on the journey of making éclairs, filled with a rich and creamy custard and coated in a decadent chocolate ganache. Delight in the irresistible combination of flavors and textures in profiteroles, delicate choux buns topped with a luscious vanilla crème pâtissière and drizzled with a rich chocolate sauce.
Transport yourself to the world of religieuses, where two choux buns are united by a luscious crème pâtissière, forming an elegant and sophisticated pastry. Explore the versatility of choux pastry in savory creations, such as gougères, savory cheese puffs that are perfect for appetizers or as a side dish to accompany your favorite meal.
With detailed instructions, helpful tips, and mouthwatering recipe variations, this guide will elevate your baking skills and transform you into a choux pastry maestro. Prepare to impress your friends and family with these delectable pastries, sure to leave a lasting impression on their taste buds.
SWEET OR SAVORY PATE A CHOUX
Provided by Alton Brown
Time 35m
Yield 4 dozen bite-size cream puffs
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Boil water, butter, and salt or sugar. Add flour and remove from heat. Work mixture together and return to heat. Continue working the mixture until all flour is incorporated and dough forms a ball. Transfer mixture into bowl of a standing mixer and let cool for 3 or 4 minutes. With mixer on stir or lowest speed add eggs, 1 at a time, making sure the first egg is completely incorporated before continuing. Once all eggs have been added and the mixture is smooth put dough into piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe immediately into golfball-size shapes, 2 inches apart onto parchment lined sheet pans. Cook for 10 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350 degrees F and bake for 10 more minutes or until golden brown. Once they are removed from the oven pierce with a paring knife immediately to release steam.
CHOUX A LA CREME-CABBAGE IN CREAM
When I was a kid I was inspired by Graham Kerr; The Galloping Gourmet. Long before the existence of the Cooking Channel, New Zealander Kerr was hosting a half hour cooking show from a tiny television studio in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I was transfixed. Kerr taught a nation how to clarify butter, use the infamous 'spurtle' and generally put a little flair into our meat and potatoes lifestyle. I owe him a lot. I have collected as many of his TV cookbooks as I have been able to get my hands on. This recipe for jazzed up cabbage certainly is not low cal. But it is an excellent addition to a special Sunday roast. From the Galloping Gourment TV cookbook Vol. 4. with minor modifications...
Provided by Chef Regina V. Smith
Categories Vegetable
Time 25m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Remove core from cabbage, cut into quarters and slice, very finely, set aside. Place cabbage into salted boiling water and allow to cook for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Finely slice bacon. Finely dice onion. Set aside.
- Sift flour, measure butter, milk and cream. Set aside.
- Place a little clarified butter into a saucepan and add bacon, onion and dried thyme. Allow to cook for 1 minute. Add the butter and stir in the flour to form a roux -allow to cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in the milk, stirring to form a smooth sauce. Bring to a boil and season with salt, pepper and freshly grated nutmeg. Add the cabbage to the roux and allow to cook for 10 minutes.
- Just before serving, stir in the cream.
CHOUX A LA CREME
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To make the choux, place the water, butter and salt in a saucepan, and bring the mixture to the boil over high heat. Immediately remove from the heat, and add the flour in one stroke. Mix in the flour with a sturdy wooden spatula, and return the pan to the stove over medium heat to high heat, stirring until the mixture comes up the sides of the pan and is almost the texture of modeling clay. Cook for about 20 to 30 seconds, still stirring, to dry the mixture further. Remove from the heat and transfer to the bowl of a food processor. Process for 4 to 5 seconds to cool the mixture slightly.
- In a bowl, beat the eggs with a fork until well mixed. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the beaten eggs to brush on the choux later, and add a third of the remaining egg mixture to the food processor bowl. Process for 5 to 6 seconds, just long enough to incorporate the eggs into the flour mixture. Repeat with the remainder of the eggs, adding and incorporating half of them at a time. After the final addition, process the mixture for about 10 seconds, until very smooth.
- Lightly butter a cookie sheet. Spoon 6 rounds of the dough, each about the size of a golf ball (approximately 3 tablespoons), onto the sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for expansion. Brush with the reserved tablespoon of beaten egg to smooth the tops and coat the surface of the balls.
- Place the cookie sheet in the oven for about 40 minutes, until the choux are nicely developed, lightly browned, and cooked through. Set aside in a draft-free spot on top of the stove.
- To make the filling, place the cream, confectioner's sugar, and vanilla in a bowl, and whip until firm. Set aside.
- The dessert can be completed a few hours before serving. Remove and reserve the top of each choux puff, cutting around each about a quarter of the way down and lifting off the resulting "cap." Remove and discard some of the soft insides, or press this soft membrane against the walls of the choux. Spoon 2 teaspoons of the blackberry preserves into the base of each choux.
- Spoon the reserved cream mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip, and pipe it into the choux. Replace the "caps," and sprinkle with the reserved teaspoon of confectioners' sugar.
- To make the chocolate sauce, heat the chocolate and milk in a saucepan over low to medium heat just until the chocolate melts. Mix well with a whisk, transfer to a bowl, and allow to cool off in the refrigerator, stirring occasionally.
- Arrange a choux on each of 6 individual dessert plates. Serve with the chocolate sauce.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 589, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 55 grams, Fat 39 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 23 grams, Sodium 139 milligrams, Sugar 37 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: This will make a big difference in the final flavor of your choux pastry and crème pâtissière.
- Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature: This will help them to incorporate smoothly into the mixture.
- Don't overmix the choux pastry: Overmixing will make the pastry tough.
- Pipe the choux pastry into even-sized balls: This will help them to cook evenly.
- Bake the choux pastry until it is golden brown: This will ensure that it is cooked through.
- Let the choux pastry cool completely before filling it: This will prevent the filling from making the pastry soggy.
- Use a pastry bag to fill the choux pastry: This will make it easier to get a smooth, even filling.
- Chill the choux pastry before serving: This will help the filling to set and the pastry to become more firm.
Conclusion:
Choux à la crème is a delicious and elegant dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its light and airy choux pastry and rich and creamy filling, it is sure to impress your guests. So next time you are looking for a special dessert to make, give choux à la crème a try. You won't be disappointed!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love