Creme Patissiere For Apple And Passion Fruit Tartlets Food

APPLE AND PASSION FRUIT TARTLETS

Steps:

• On a lightly floured work surface, roll out puff pastry to 1/16-inch thick. Using a 4 1/2-inch round pastry cutter, cut out six rounds. Brush a baking sheet with a little cold water and, using a spatula, transfer rounds to baking sheet. Transfer baking sheet to refrigerator and chill for 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prick rounds in five places with the tines of a fork. Divide creme patissiere evenly between each of the pastry rounds. Spread creme patissiere evenly, leaving a narrow border around the edges.
• Peel apples; slice in half and remove the stem and core. Thinly slice each half. Arrange each sliced half on a pastry round in an overlapping circle. Transfer to oven and bake for 15 minutes.
• Remove tartlets from oven and sprinkle with sugar. Return to oven and continue baking 5 minutes more. Immediately transfer tartlets to a wire rack using a spatula.
• Cut each passion fruit in half and scrape out the pulp and seeds directly onto the tartlets just before serving.

SUMMER FRUIT BOWL TARTLETS

Steps:

• To make the crème pâtissière, pour the milk into a pan. Split vanilla pod down its length using a small sharp knife (do not cut in half completely). Twist tip of the knife inside the pod to open out like a book at one end, then run the knife down its length to scrape out seeds. (See step 1)
• Put the seeds and empty pod in a medium-sized pan with the milk and bring slowly to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for a couple of mins. (Step 2)
• Put egg yolks, sugar and flour into a bowl. Whisk with a hand electric mixer until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy - it should leave a trail that stays on the surface momentarily when the whisk blades are lifted. This whisking will take about 2 mins. (Step 3)
• Pour about a third of the hot milk into the bowl, whisking on a slow speed all the time until it has all been mixed in. Now whisk in the remaining milk, removing pod. (Step 4)
• Return the mixture to the pan, scraping it out of the bowl using a rubber spatula. Bring slowly to the boil, stirring all the time, until the custard is thickened, smooth and glossy. At first, it will look a bit lumpy, but persevere - keep stirring and it will become smooth. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 mins, stirring. (Step 5)
• Remove the crème pâtissière from the heat. Beat in the butter until it has melted, then scrape into a bowl. Cover the surface of the crème pâtissière directly with cling film (this will stop a skin forming). Leave to cool, then chill in the fridge until needed. (Step 6)
• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Divide the pastry into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each one to line a 7-8cm deep fluted tartlet tin, trim leaving a little pastry sticking up above the tin. Line each one with a paper cake case and add a layer of baking beans. Put on a baking tray and bake for 10 mins, then remove the paper and beans and bake for a further 5 mins until the pastry is crisp and golden.
• Trim any pastry edges that need it with a small sharp knife. Remove from the tins and leave to cool on a wire rack.
• Halve or quarter any large strawberries and remove the stalks from any redcurrants, then mix the fruits together. Fill the pastry cases with crème pâtissière and pile a generous layer of fruits on top. Dust thickly with icing sugar and scatter over some chopped pistachios, if you like.

CREME PATISSIERE FOR APPLE AND PASSION FRUIT TARTLETS

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk together egg yolks and 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar until mixture has the consistency of light ribbons. Add flour and whisk thoroughly to combine.
• In a medium saucepan, heat milk with remaining 6 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar and vanilla bean over medium heat. As soon as the mixture comes to a boil, immediately remove from heat and slowly pour into egg yolk mixture with the mixer on low.
• Mix until well combined and return mixture to saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Let bubble for 2 minutes, then transfer to a medium bowl.
• Dust creme patissiere with confectioners' sugar or dot surface with small pieces of butter to prevent a skin from forming. Let cool before covering and transferring to the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Remove vanilla bean before using.