Strawberry Napoleons With Lemon Cream Food

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle work surface with some of granulated sugar. Unfold dough on top and sprinkle with more granulated sugar. If necessary, roll out to a 9 1/2-by-12 1/2-inch rectangle, slightly more than 1/8 inch thick. Using a sharp knife or pastry cutter, cut into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle. Transfer to a baking sheet; freeze 20 minutes. Cut into twelve 4-by-2 1/4-inch rectangles. Transfer to two baking sheets and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Prick rectangles all over with a fork. Coat two wire racks with cooking spray and place one over each set of rectangles (if you only have one cooling rack, work in batches). Bake until pastry just reaches tops of racks, about 15 minutes (do not let it bake into racks and stick). Remove racks; continue to bake until golden and evenly browned, about 15 minutes more. Let cool completely on racks, about 30 minutes.
• With a mixer, whisk cream, creme fraiche, vanilla seeds, and confectioners' sugar on medium speed until stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Fit a pastry bag with a large star tip (such as Ateco #825). Split pastry rectangles horizontally (to create 24 pieces total). Choose 8 nice tops; set aside. Arrange a single layer of strawberries over 8 bottom rectangles. Pipe about 2 tablespoons cream over berries. Top with a second layer of berries. Pipe 2 tablespoons cream onto 8 more rectangles. Top with a layer of strawberries. Pipe a dollop of cream onto bottom and place on top of first layer, pressing very gently to help stick. Pipe a dollop of cream on bottom of reserved rectangles and place on top, sugared-sides up. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment.
• Thaw the sheet of puff pastry according to package instructions. When thawed, roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 10x15 inch rectangle. Gently transfer to prepared baking sheet. Cover with another piece of parchment paper and lay a second baking sheet (the same or slightly smaller size) on top to keep the pastry from puffing up unevenly. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden.
• While the puff pastry is thawing, combine the sliced strawberries, vanilla, honey, and salt in a bowl. Stir to combine well and let sit for at least 15 minutes and up to 30 to really let the juices marinate.
• When the puff pastry is done baking, cool for about 5 minutes then transfer to a large cutting board. Use a pizza wheel to cut the sheet into 12 equal pieces.
• Using an electric mixer, whip together the cream cheese/mascarpone and lemon juice until smooth. Add the whipping cream and sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold in the lemon zest. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Put a large dollop of cream on 8 of the pastry squares. Top with a generous spoonful of strawberries and their juices.
• To assemble the Strawberry Napoleons, stack two pieces of pastry squares topped with berries and cream and then top with a plain pastry square. Dust with powdered sugar. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme (optional) and a drizzle of honey. Eat immediately.

EASY STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Unfold thawed puff pastry on cutting board. With a sharp knife, cut pastry into nine squares. Place on baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to wire rack to cool completely. , In a large bowl, combine the strawberries, sugar and vanilla; set aside. In another bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for two minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft set. Stir in whipped topping and until thoroughly blended. Cover and refrigerate. , To assemble, split puff pastry squares horizontally for a total of 18 squares. Set aside six tops. Place six of the remaining puff pastry pieces on individual serving plates. Spread about 1/4 cup pudding mixture over each pastry square. Top with a spoonful of strawberries and another piece of puff pastry. Spread remaining pudding mixture over pastry pieces. Top with remaining strawberries and reserved pastry tops. , In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Transfer chocolate to a small, heavy-duty plastic bag. Cut a tiny corner from bag; squeeze chocolate over napoleons.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Combine pudding mix and cold milk; fold in whipped topping. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Unfold pastry on a cool, lightly floured surface. Cut into 3 strips along fold marks, then cut each strip into four equal pieces. Place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheet, and cool.
• Split pastries into 2 layers, setting the 8 best looking tops aside. Spread 8 bottom layers with dollops of the pudding mixture. Top each with a layer of strawberries, a small amount of pudding, and another pastry layer. (A small amount of the pudding mix on top of the berries will help keep the layers together.) Spread with remaining pudding mixture and strawberries, and top with remaining pastry layers (the best looking ones). Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.

ROUGH PUFF NAPOLEONS WITH LEMON CREAM AND BERRIES

Steps:

• For the rough puff: Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and use a pastry cutter or your hands to cut or rub the butter into the flour until it is covered with flour and resembles chunky wet sand. There should still be chunks of butter visible in your mixture -- do not overwork.
• Add the cold water slowly and start to mix until the dough comes together. It will still be quite shaggy and crumbly.
• Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap and dump the dough in the center. Wrap the dough tightly, pressing down firmly to help compress and form it into a square. Allow the dough to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
• Put the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out to approximately a 10-by-16-inch rectangle. (You should still see butter marbled in the dough.) Using a letter-folding technique, fold the top third down and bring the bottom third up, folding over the center like a letter. Turn the dough one-quarter and roll out again to three times its length. If the dough is too soft, chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. After rolling, repeat the letter fold a second time. Cut the dough in half to make 2 squares. Wrap each in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Roll out 1 piece of the chilled dough into a 1/4-inch-thick-square (or slightly thinner). Trim the edges so they are even and cut into nine 2-by-4-inch rectangles. Move the dough rectangles to one of the prepared baking sheets and chill for 20 minutes. Repeat the rolling, cutting and chilling process with the remaining piece of dough.
• Dust the dough rectangles lightly with confectioners' sugar and place a second piece of parchment on top. Top with a second baking sheet to control the rise of the dough.
• Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the top baking sheet and parchment paper and continue baking until deep golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer the pastry pieces to a wire rack to cool completely.
• For the lemon cream: Bring the lemon juice to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Whisk together the lemon zest, sugar, eggs and egg yolk in a small bowl. When the lemon juice begins to simmer, temper the egg mixture by adding a small amount of hot liquid to the eggs while constantly whisking. Add the warmed egg mixture back to the pot and continue to cook over medium heat, whisking continuously. When the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, strain the curd through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl. Finish by whisking the butter into the hot curd. Cool completely in the refrigerator.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add heavy cream and powdered sugar and whip to soft peaks.
• Fold the cooled lemon curd into the whipped cream, taking care not to deflate the mixture too much. Scoop the lemon cream into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and keep refrigerated until ready to use.
• For the blueberry coulis: Add the blueberries, sugar, lemon juice and 1/4 cup water to a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to make sure the sugar dissolves. Continue to boil for 10 minutes, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Strain the coulis through a fine-mesh strainer and cool completely.
• To build the Napoleons, drizzle the blueberry coulis onto a plate. Pipe the lemon cream onto one pastry rectangle from end to end. Top with a second piece of pastry and repeat the piping with lemon cream. Top with a third piece of pastry and pipe one more layer of lemon cream. Garnish with fresh blueberries and raspberries.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Add the egg yolks to a medium sized bowl and gently beat them together. Set aside.
• Add the sugar, cornstarch and milk to a large saucepan and mix until smooth.
• Cook, stirring continuously, over medium-high heat until mixture begins to thicken and bubble.
• Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add a little bit of milk mixture to the egg yolks and whisk together, then add egg mixture to milk mixture. This process ensures that you don't scramble the egg yolks.
• Place the pan back on the heat and bring to a light boil. Allow to boil for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
• Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth, then top with clear wrap that touches the top of the cream (it helps prevent a film from forming on top). Refrigerate until cool and ready to use.
• Remove the two sheets of puff pastry from the box and cut each set into 3 strips, for a total of 6 strips.
• Place on a baking sheet and bake for about 13 minutes.
• Remove them from the oven and allow to cool. Press the baked pastry down just a bit, if needed so they layers are relatively flat.
• To finish making the pastry cream, add the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar to a large mixer bowl and whip until stiff peaks form.
• Gently fold the whipped cream into the pastry cream.
• To layer everything together, place a layer of puff pastry onto a serving plate and top it with some chopped strawberries.
• Pipe or spread some pastry cream on top of the berries, then repeat another layer of puff pastry, strawberries and pastry cream.
• Top off the pastry with a third pastry strip on top. Repeat the layering process with the remaining puff pastry, pastry cream and strawberries.
• To make the icing, add all ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Spread the icing onto the top of the completed napoleons.
• To add the whipped cream topping, add the ingredients to a large mixer bowl and whisk until stiff peaks form.
• Pipe swirls of the whipped cream on top of the napoleons and top with a few additional chopped berries. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEON

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out each pastry sheet to a 9-in. square. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until golden brown. , Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually add milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in butter and vanilla. Pour into a bowl; cover surface with plastic wrap. Refrigerate, without stirring, until chilled. , For topping, beat cream in a chilled large bowl until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. , Place one pastry square on a serving platter. Top with the custard, strawberries, sweetened whipped cream and second pastry. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Refrigerate leftovers.

STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB NAPOLEONS WITH CREME FRAICHE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Unfold the pastry sheet on your work surface. If the pastry sticks a bit, dust with some flour. Roll the dough out to about a 10-inch square. Cut the square into 4 (5-inch) squares, then cut these in half diagonally to make 8 triangles. Evenly sprinkle all the triangles with the 2 tablespoons sugar. Put the triangles, sugar-side up, on the baking sheet. Pop in the oven and bake until nicely puffed and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool. Slice in half horizontally (a serrated knife is best for this job).
• Put a halved triangle on your serving plate. Spread some Strawberry-Rhubarb filling on top, stack another halved triangle and more filling on top of that and repeat to make 4 layers total. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with more sauce on the side. Scoop some Creme Fraiche Ice Cream alongside. Serve the napoleons immediately.
• Whisk the sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl, making sure there are no lumps. Add the rhubarb, sugar-cornstarch mixture, orange zest and juice and half the strawberries to a saucepan. Give it a good stir. Let this mixture sit about 15 minutes off the heat so it macerates (gets nice and juicy). Then put the pan over medium-high heat and let cook until the rhubarb is tender but still holds its shape, giving it a stir now and then, about 7 minutes. Let it cool for about 15 minutes, and then stir in the rest of the strawberries.
• Pour the milk into a large bowl, add the 2 tablespoons lemon juice and let it sit for a couple of minutes.
• Add the creme fraiche, the remaining 1/3 cup lemon juice and the sugar. Give it a whisk until thoroughly combined. Pour into an ice cream maker and churn as per the manufacturer's instructions, then pop in the freezer until it's firm.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• To make the pastry cream, add the egg yolks to a medium sized bowl and gently beat them together. Set aside.
• 2. Add the sugar, cornstarch and milk to a large saucepan and mix until smooth.
• 3. Cook, stirring continuously, over medium-high heat until mixture begins to thicken and bubble.
• 4. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• 5. Add a little bit of milk mixture to the egg yolks and whisk together, then add egg mixture to milk mixture. This process ensures that you don't scramble the egg yolks.
• 6. Place the pan back on the heat and bring to a light boil. Allow to boil for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
• 7. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth, then top with clear wrap that touches the top of the cream (it helps prevent a film from forming on top). Refrigerate until cool and ready to use.
• 8. Remove the two sheets of puff pastry from the box and cut each set into 3 strips, for a total of 6 strips.
• 9. Place on a baking sheet and bake for about 13 minutes.
• 10. Remove them from the oven and allow to cool. Press the baked pastry down just a bit, if needed so they layers are relatively flat.
• 11. To finish making the pastry cream, add the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar to a large mixer bowl and whip until stiff peaks form.
• 12. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pastry cream.
• 13. To layer everything together, place a layer of puff pastry onto a serving plate and top it with some chopped strawberries.
• 14. Pipe or spread some pastry cream on top of the berries, then repeat another layer of puff pastry, strawberries and pastry cream.
• 15. Top off the pastry with a third pastry strip on top. Repeat steps 13 through 15 with the remaining puff pastry, pastry cream and strawberries.
• 16. To make the icing, add all ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Spread the icing onto the top of the completed napoleons.
• 17. To add the whipped cream topping, add the ingredients to a large mixer bowl and whisk until stiff peaks form.
• 18. Pipe swirls of the whipped cream on top of the napoleons and top with a few additional chopped berries. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Napoleons are best fresh, or refrigerated for 1-2 days.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS WITH LEMON CREAM

Steps:

• Make lemon cream:
• Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in small bowl; let stand until soft, about 10 minutes. Combine lemonade concentrate, sugar, butter, yolks and egg in medium metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water; whisk until candy thermometer registers 160°F., about 5 minutes. Remove from over water; whisk in gelatin mixture. Strain into large bowl. Set in larger bowl or ice water. Stir until mixture is cool and beginning to thicken but not set, about 10 minutes. Beat cream in medium bowl to firm peaks; fold into lemon mixture. Chill at least 4 hours.
• Make phyllo pastries:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 1 phyllo sheet on work surface (cover remaining phyllo with plastic wrap and damp towel). Brush phyllo with butter; sprinkle with sugar. Repeat with remaining phyllo, butter and sugar. Cut phyllo stack into twenty 3-inch squares. Transfer squares to baking sheets. Bake until dark golden, watching closely, about 12 minutes. Transfer to racks; cool. (Lemon cream and phyllo squares can be made 1 day ahead. Keep cream chilled. Store phyllo squares airtight at room temperature.)
• Make strawberry sauce:
• Simmer 2 1/4 cups sliced strawberries and 6 tablespoons sugar in heavy medium saucepan until strawberries are soft, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Purée in processor. Strain into small bowl. Chill.
• Place 10 phyllo squares on work surface. Transfer lemon cream to pastry bag fitted with large star tip. Pipe lemon cream over squares, leaving 1/2-inch border on sides. Arrange sliced berries in single layer over cream. Pipe small rosette of cream atop berries. Top each with phyllo square. Pipe rosette of cream atop phyllo. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Garnish each with whole berry. Serve with sauce.

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Make filling:
• In a heavy saucepan combine all filling ingredients except strawberries and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 minutes, or until rhubarb is soft and falling apart. Transfer mixture to a bowl and cool completely. Hull strawberries and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (there will be about 2 cups). Add strawberries to rhubarb mixture, tossing to combine well. Filling may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring filling to room temperature before assembling napoleons.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• On a lightly floured surface roll pastry into a 14- by 10-inch rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick. Cut pastry into 4 strips, each 14 by 2 1/2 inches. Working with 1 pastry strip at a time, with long side facing you, make three 4-inch-long parallelograms per strip, discarding end scraps, for a total of 12 parallelograms. Invert 2 baking sheets and arrange 6 parallelograms in one layer on each. Freeze pastry 15 minutes, or until firm.
• Remove 1 baking sheet from freezer and invert a metal cooling rack directly onto pastry to cover parallelograms completely. (Cooling rack will weight down pastry to form a decorative pattern.) Bake pastry with cooling rack in middle of oven until golden brown and cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully remove rack from pastry and transfer pastry to another rack to cool completely. Bake remaining pastry in same manner. Parallelograms may be made 4 days ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Assemble napoleons:
• Arrange 6 parallelograms, design sides up, on dessert plates and top each with about 1/2 cup filling. Put remaining 6 parallelograms, design sides up, on top of filling and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
• Serve napoleons with lemon cream.