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9/03/2024

Creme Brulee Napoleon with Strawberries

 

(for the custard)

3 cups whipping cream

3/4 cup milk

2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise

14 large egg yolks

3/4 cup sugar


(for the strawberry sauce)

2x 10oz. packages frozen sweetened strawberries, thawed


(for the pastry)

1/2 cup plus 2 T sugar

1/2 cup ground toasted almonds

8 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup powdered sugar


(for the assembly)

1/2 cup firmly packed golden brown sugar

2x 1 pint baskets strawberries, bulled and thinly sliced

creme fraiche, room temperature


[how to make]


(for the custard)

*Bring cream, milk and vanilla beans to boil in heavy large saucepan.

*Remove from heat.

*Cover with lid and let mixture steep for 30 minutes.


*Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

*Remove vanilla beans; scrape seeds from vanilla beans into cream mixture.

*Whisk yolks and sugar in large bowl to blend.

*Gradually whisk in cream mixture. Strain.


*Divide custard evenly between two 11 1/4" x 7 1/2" glass baking dishes.

*Place each dish in large baking pan.

*Add enough hot water to pans to come halfway up sides of dishes.

*Bake until knife inserted in center of custards comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool.

*Cover and chill until firm, about 4 hours. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead.)


(for the strawberry sauce)

*Puree berries in blender.

*Strain through sieve set over bowl to remove seeds.

*Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour.(Can be prepared 2 days ahead.)


(for the pastry)

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. *Line 3 large cookie sheets with parchment.

*Mix 1/2 cup sugar and almonds in small bowl.

*Place 1 phyllo sheet on work surface (keep remainder covered with kitchen towel).

*Generously brush phyllo with butter.

*Sprinkle with 2 T nut mixture.

*Top with second phyllo sheet.

*Gently press down on phyllo so layers adhere.

*Generously brush phyllo with butter. Sprinkle with 2 T nut mixture.

*Top with third phyllo sheet.

*Gently press down on pastry.

*Generously brush phyllo with butter.

*Sprinkle with 2 T nut mixture.

*Top with fourth phyllo sheet.

*Gently press down on phyllo.

*Trim and cut stacked phyllo into nine 3 1/2" squares.

*Place squares on prepared cookie sheets, spacing evenly.


*Repeat layering and cutting with remaining phyllo, butter and nut mixture.

*Brush top of pastry squares with melted butter.

*Sprinkle remaining 2 T sugar over.

*Bake until light brown, about 7 minutes.


*Preheat broiler.

*Lightly sift powdered sugar over pastry squares.

*Broil until golden brown, watching carefully, about 20 seconds.

*Cool pastry on parchment. (Can be made 6 hours ahead.)


(for the assembly)

*Preheat broiler.

*Sieve sugar over custards.

*Broil at least 6" from heat source until sugar melts and begins to bubble, about 1 minute.

*Refrigerate 1 hour.


*Run small sharp knife around sides of custards to loosen.

*Cut each cream brulee into six 3" squares; reserve remainder for another use.


*Line heavy large cookie sheet with parchment.

*Place 6 pastry squares on prepared sheet, spacing evenly.

*Top each with 1 creme brulee square using metal spatula as aid.

*Arrange some strawberries in single layer over each.

*Top each with pastry square.

*Top with another creme brulee square.

*Arrange strawberries in single layer over each.

*Place 1 pastry square atop each.

*Transfer desserts to large plates.

*Spoon sauce around each.

*Stir creme fraiche until smooth and slightly runny.

*Spoon 1/4 t onto sauce on one plate.

*Run tip of knife through center of each creme fraiche round to create hearts.

*Repeat with remaining desserts.


-makes 6 -

Note: I found this recipe in "Bon Appetit".

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