Seafood Vol Au Vent

VOL AU VENT FRUITS DE MER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Make vol au vent by cutting a circle 8 inches in diameter in 1-inch thick pastry. Make another incision 1 1/2 inches from edge of pastry. Place round of pastry on a baking sheet brushed with cold water and bake 30 minutes. Remove lid and scoop out the inside to form a pastry case. Set aside. Place the mussels in a pan on a high heat with 1/4 cup of the dry white wine, cover, shake pan and allow to cook for 2 minutes. Allow to cool and then remove mussels from shells. Prepare fish stock by simmering snapper head with water, onion and Bouquet garni for 30 minutes and then strain. Place some clarified butter into a pan on the heat and add the shallot. Fry gently and then place the fish fillets on top and the scallops, and moisten with 1/2 cup of the fish stock and 1/4 cup of the dry white wine. Season with salt and pepper and poach for 5 minutes.
• Sauce: Place the 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan and when it has melted add the sifted flour. Stir gently to cook the roux but do not allow to color. Remove from the heat and add the warmed fish stock a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Place sauce back on heat and season with salt and pepper and allow to simmer 10 minutes, stirring from time to time. In a separate pan place a little clarified butter and when hot add the mushrooms. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and add a squeeze of lemon juice. Allow to fry gently for 1 minute. Remove the fish fillets to a dish and place the scallops, shrimp, mussels and mushrooms together in a bowl. Mix the yolk with the cream and then stir into the sauce - add 1 tablespoon butter and then fold in the seafood being very careful not to break the fish. Check the seasoning. Place the seafood mixture into the pastry case and heat in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.

VOL-AU-VENT

Steps:

• Lightly flour a clean work surface. Using a rolling pin, gently roll out dough until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Using a 4-inch vol-au-vent cutter, cut out 4 rounds. If using a 3 1/2-inch cookie cutter, cut out 8 rounds; cut out centers from half the rounds with a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter to form rings.
• In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolk and cream. Using a pastry brush, moisten top of each vol-au-vent with egg wash, being careful not to let any drip down over the cut edges. (Or moisten each ring and round with egg wash; lay one ring on top of each round, lining up outside edges.) Place vol-au-vents on an ungreased baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap; place in refrigerator 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bake until vol-au-vents are puffed and golden on the outside, about 12 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees; continue baking 10 to 12 minutes to let insides cook through.
• Transfer vol-au-vents to a wire rack. While still warm, cut out center of tops with a paring knife; set aside. Remove and discard inside dough, and let shells cool completely. Spoon or pipe in desired filling. Replace tops, and serve.

SEAFOOD VOL-AU-VENT

Steps:

• Heat butter in frying pan.
• When hot add onion carrot and celery; cover and cook 3 to 4 minutes over medium heat.
• Mix in curry powder and flour; mix again.
• Cook 1 minute uncovered over medium heat.
• Pour in chicken stock and season well.
• Cook 8 to 10 minutes uncovered over medium heat.
• Add cream and parsley, mix well.
• Continue cooking 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir in seafood; simmer 2 to 3 minutes over low heat.
• Fill vo-au-vent shells and serve.

VOL-AU-VENT OF LOUISIANA SEAFOOD

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Saute the green onions and shallots until they're limp.
• Add the wine and bring it to a boil.
• Reduce until most of the liquid is gone.
• Add the cream, saffron, salt, pepper, cayenne and ginger, and bring to a light boil.
• (Also add tarragon at this point if using dried.) Add scallops and shrimp.
• Cook for four minutes, then add oysters and fresh tarragon.
• Cook until edges of oysters are curly.
• Throughout the process, agitate pan to slosh the sauce over the seafoods.
• Spoon the seafoods into a puff pastry shell, until seafoods and sauce run over the top and onto the plate.