Sunday, September 27, 2009

Daring Bakers: Vols au Vent


First things first, whip out Wikipedia:

"A Vol-au-vent (French for "windblown" to describe its lightness) is a small hollow case of puff pastry. A round opening is cut in the top and the pastry cut out for the opening is replaced as a lid after the case is filled. Vol-au-vents can accommodate various fillings, such as mushrooms, prawns, fruit, or cheese, but they are almost always savory."

Almost always savory my butt. Of course mine aren't "savory". Anyways, ....

Remember when I tried puff pastry before? Remember how they didn't really work... Ok, ok. They didn't work at all. Well, I actually paid attention to the recipe this time; I chilled and rolled and turned just like Julia said. And it worked! Not as nice looking as some other bloggers (I haven't even checked my favorite bloggers yet today. I wanted to post before I looked at theirs and felt embarrassed by my own.)

See, they looked puffed!(ish)

They're really very good. My only issue? They're awfully buttery. I mean, I know. The recipe calls for an entire pound of butter, but it was a little overwhelming. At least I can claim some small amount of success. And now I'll go back to store bought.
Bon appetit!

My friend and I did not believe the "place a silicon baking mat (preferred because of its weight) or another sheet of parchment over top of the shells" part of the directions.
But it is necessary, see?! These came out lopsided!


The September 2009 Daring Bakers' challenge was hosted by Steph of A Whisk and a Spoon. She chose the French treat, Vols-au-Vent based on the Puff Pastry recipe by Michel Richard from the cookbook Baking With Julia by Dorie Greenspan.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Zucchini Cupcakes and the Farmer's Market


Look at how beautiful these tomatoes and plums and raspberries are. La Tartine Gourmande agrees the purple black cherry tomatoes are gorgeous. They're better than jewels, aren't they?

I made these cupcakes a few weeks ago, and beats me what I put in them, but I'm sure any number of googled recipes are good. It's a fluffier version of zucchini bread. I put a slice of plum in the bottom of the cupcake before they were baked, and topped them with cream cheese buttercream and a raspberry. All the best ingredients from the Farmer's Market. :)