Receta Recipe For Paris-Brest
In 2008 Dave and I visited Brittany and it was this trip that got me started on watching the annual Tour de France as that year they went through many of the places we had seen. Every year since then I have watched the Tour to see parts of France we would like to visit, and to see if I recognize landmarks we have been to on previous visits. I watch the Giro d’Italia for the same reason. However, this year I have watched the cycle races not only for the scenery, but also for the actual cycling. A lot of strategy goes into a cycle race, with the team picking the best riders for that particular race. One year you might need specialists in mountain climbing and another year you might need someone good at time trials. No matter what, I know that the cyclists are exhausted after long tours. The Paris-Brest race was originally run from Paris to Brest in Brittany and back to Paris. Just the thought of that makes me exhausted. The Paris-Brest pastry was created in 1891 to mark the first year that the race ended in Brest. The pastries are circular to resemble the wheels of the bicycle, and the high calorific count would have helped with replacing the calories the riders burnt up on the race. You might find the recipe length exhausting, but it is well worth the effort, and with all the preparation you are going to do, the calories will be much needed. For the purpose of making these Paris-Brest pastries I used a chocolate confectioners custard that I had in my freezer. I was really grateful for this as the first time I made the French butter cream it split. I had to go out and buy more ingredients to carry on, so having the custard already done saved me time. You will need to set aside the day to make these as everything has to be cold before you can assemble the Paris-Brest.
Paris-Brest
Recipe For Paris-Brest All Rights Reserved: Adapted from Larousse Gastronomique page 747
25g sugar - I used fructose 25g blanched almonds 70mls water Pinch of salt 40g butter, cut into small cubes 14g caster sugar - I used fructose 80g flour 2 eggs 1 egg yolk, reserve the white for the Italian meringue 25g flaked almonds, lightly toasted and crushed 125mls milk 16g flour 44g caster sugar - I used fructose 4g butter 1 egg Pinch of salt 50mls milk 2 eggs 50g caster sugar - I used fructose 100g butter, cut into small cubes, and placed into a glass bowl 40g praline 75g caster sugar - I used fructose 25mls water 1 egg white
Place the nuts into a non stick frying pan and heat over a low temperature Place the sugar into a stainless steel frying pan Hear the sugar over a medium temperature until a caramel forms Add the nuts and stir quickly Pour out onto a silpat immediately Leave to cool Blitz in a food processor until fine Preheat the oven to 180° Celsius Place the water, salt, butter and sugar into a saucepan Heat on a medium temperature until the butter melts Increase the temperature and bring to the boil Remove from the heat and add the flour Mix quickly and return to the heat Stir on a medium temperature until the pastry pulls away from the sides Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly Using a wooden spoon beat in the eggs until completely combined and the pastry is glossy Place the pastry into a piping bag with a 10mm nozzle Pipe into circles that are 7.5cm in diameter, you need to pipe 3 layers per circle Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle the top with the almonds Bake for 25 minutes Cool in the oven with the door open Remove and set aside until cold Place the milk into a saucepan and bring to the boil Pour into a heatproof measuring jug Place the flour, sugar, butter, egg and salt into the saucepan and whisk Add the milk and stir well with a wooden spoon Return to the heat and boil for 2 minutes stirring constantly Pour into a glass bowl and place some cling film over the top to prevent a skin from forming Leave to get cold Place the milk into a saucepan and bring to the boil Place the eggs and the sugar into a bowl and whisk until ribbon stage Pour the milk over the egg mixture, whisking continuously Return to the heat on a medium temperature Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until you get a thick custard Pour over the butter, and whisk by hand until the butter has been incorporated Leave to cool before adding the praline Place the sugar and water into a saucepan Heat on a medium temperature until soft ball stage (116° Celsius) Place the egg white into a stand mixer and whisk until stiff Add the syrup slowly, whisking continuously Continue whisking until the meringue is cold Cut the choux rings in half horizontally Mix together the confectioners custard, French butter cream and Italian meringue Place into a piping bag with a large star nozzle Pipe the mixture onto the bottom half of the choux rings Replace the top half and enjoy The meringue will keep in the fridge 3.2.2807
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Paris-Brest Pastries
Blog-checking lines: The November Daring Baker’s challenge took us for a ride! Luisa from Rise of the Sourdough Preacher challenged us to make Paris-Brest, a beautiful pastry celebrating the Paris-Brest bicycle race.
Paris-Brest With Chocolate Confectioners Custard
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About Tandy
Tandy is passionate about using regional, seasonable and sustainable produce when she cooks. She lives in Gordons Bay in a cottage with her husband, two dogs, a tortoise and a fish. Tandy and Dave are busy building a house which is an adventure all in itself. Each year they visit a new place to experience the food of the area and you can follow along on their adventures.