Brioche

We ended the first Breads module with making Brioche. We even got tested on knowing how to make them. In the Laminated Doughs module, we revisit them. The Brioche s pictured on the left is in its most classically recognized form - a tete. Due to it's high butter and fat content from eggs, it can be considered a pastry item. Keeping the a tetes intact is a challenge and have to use the right shaping technique before putting them into the oven. This is the best of the Brioches I have created so far and can't wait to gobble 'em up tomorrow with my freshly made aji sauce. Also, every time I have made this bread, I have wanted to set aside some of it to make it into a bread-pudding with Creme Anglaise. One of these days, I will get there.

Fruit Band with Puff Pastry

Last week I started a new module which covers baking with Laminated Doughs. One of the first things we made was a Puff Pastry from scratch, also known as the Classic Puff Pastry. However to make the Fruit Band on left, we used a pre-manufactured Puff Pastry sheet. We cut the sheet in half and layered it with one inch strips of puff pastry. We used egg-wash to layer the strips on top. It was baked until golden brown. The puff pastry formed a band which was filled with pastry cream and topped with strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries. The Apricot Nappage was applie to provide the finishing touch.