HUFFING WITH THE DARING BAKERS…TIME FOR PUFF PASTRY!
VOLS-au-VENT with The DARING BAKERS
The September 2009 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Steph of A Whisk and a Spoon. She chose the French treat, Vols-au-Vent based on the Puff Pastry recipe by Michel Richard from the cookbook Baking With Julia by Dorie Greenspan.
They obviously knew what they were talking about! This pastry is entirely captivating, simple & fun… all you gotta do is get the weather right! Knowing I was heading for trouble, I tried it thrice, & didn’t get very far in the puffs department. The taste department was amazing though! Do stop by at Steph’s beautiful blog to see the recipe, and some great filling ideas! Thank you for a FAB challenge Steph. I enjoyed it despite the odds!
I got the better of the Daring Baker challenge for September halfway through the month, or so I thought I did. I really really love puff pastry, and this has got to be the best I’ve tried. Well, the best given the temperature & weather conditions. Didn’t manage the beautiful puffs that should have been achieved, but blame that on oozing butter & panicky situations. I tried it a second time again, with tips flying thick in secret direct messages across twitter, but obviously butter will melt if the weather is hot, and this ain’t no rocket science! 
With the temperatures still wildly fluctuating & heading straight back into the 37C’s range, AND given that we have suddenly encountered massive butter shortages in the market (why this month?), I chose to make half the pastry dough. By then time the butter began oozing crazily all over the place, panic struck. I forgot all counts of the number of turns etc & made the fridge my best friend as Steph said. Yes, the fridge is the only person to count on when making puff pastry. 
This is an absolutely beautiful pastry to make. the dough is a breeze, especially if you have a processor. It’s done in a matter of minutes, which you can cut down even further if you just look at the video of Michel Richard making the pastry with Julia Child keeping him company, & you’ll fall in love with pastry. The man is GOOD. He sings, he’s enthralling & he’s downright fun! Of course I made the mistake of seeing the video after I made my pastry, but well. Can’t wait for the weather to get cooler & try this again … whatever I managed, tasted mighty fine. You won’t believe it but DH saw the other posts on the forum over my shoulder, & gasped! 
Should I have read the writing on the wall? Ho hum … there I was again that very night, whirring puff pastry in the processor for second time, while the family sat watching Bourne Supremacy! I guess I was trying to achieve puff supremacy…well it didn’t quite happen. The second time around was a bit better, marginally I might say. There was a third attempt too…oh well never mind! Did get some more ‘ PUFFS’ but will have to wait for better weather to get to the real thing. 
The second time around, made some more mascarpone (becoming a habit I tell you, YUM YUM!), and flavoured it with Nescafe Taster’s Choice medium roast coffee. Delicious, divine, decadent dessert…oooh, we loved it! I went both savoury & sweet on the challenge, and made both options with a base of home made mascarpone. Yum Yum! I think I’m in love with this soft cheese, and with the idea of using it to its versatile best! This mushroom filling was one I made up as I went along, & is the very first time the daughter has willingly enjoyed mushrooms in any form! VICTORY!!
Mascarpone, Mushrooms & Roasted Bell Peppers
Ingredients:
200gm mushrooms; sliced fine
1/4 each roasted red & yellow bell pepper (I always have some in the fridge)
1 small red onion; chopped fine
3-4 cloves of garlic chopped fine
Red chili flakes, salt & pepper
1/2 cup of mascarpone (recipe here)
Knob of butter
1 tbsps olive oil
Method:
Sweat butter & olive oil on simmer with the onion, garlic & red chili flakes till translucent.
Add the sliced mushroom, salt & pepper & saute on high heat till they wilt & release moisture. Reduce heat to minimum, add the mascarpone, stir well to dissolve it in. Take off heat, stir in chopped roasted bell peppers. Adjust seasoning.
Pile into shells. makes enough filling for about 12 3″ shells (not sure how deep though; mine never got deep enough)
1 cup mascarpone (recipe here)
3-4 tbsps vanilla sugar
1 tsp saffron vanilla, optional
Chopped seasonal fruit (mango, kiwi fruit, star fruit)
Method:
Whisk mascarpone with vanilla sugar & saffron vanilla till smooth.
Pipe into canapes & add chopped seasonal fruit.
makes enough for 6-8 3″ shells
Add the mascarpone
Whipped Coffee Mascarpone
Ingredients:
1/2 cup mascarpone (recipe here)
3-4 tbsp vanilla castor sugar
1 tbsp instant coffee granules
1 oz dark chocolate
Method:
Melt the dark chocolate in a baggie, & drizzle over the edges of the bottom shell.
Leave in fridge to set for 10minutes.
Meanwhile, whip all the remaining ingredients together until firm enough to pipe. Taste & adjust sugar if required.
Pipe into shells & garnish.
Makes enough for 6 3″ shells
Deeba @ PAB
About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.
84 Comments
Allie
The coffee mascarpone sounds amazing, good work!
Elra
How beautiful Deeba!
I love how you decorate some of them with star fruits. Gorgeous!!!!!!!
Hilda
I would eat all of them you silly goose, I'm amazed you even got them to puff at all at that temperature! And totally get ya on the puff supremacy, if I couldn't use papoose as an excuse to slack out of anything, *snicker*.
Asha @ FSK
Agree with the pastry and butter and everything.. mine wasn't as flaky as the store bought ones as well. So I am going to stick to the frozen pastry sheets.. I know, it's a cop out but I would rather make pretty puffs than homemade ones 😀
Wic
what delicious looking pictures you have. this looks divine.
Happy cook
Hats off to you ladies tomaking puffpastry at home.
Love all the fillings, but the best i love is the coffee one that is just so so yumm.
Aran
so many different variation deeba! and you made it twice!
Lauren
Beautiful job! I love the different flavours and how much rise you got =D.
Esther
Sounds like you were battling the weather but they look great and I wish I could photograph the way you do!
Nicisme
Something for everyone in this post, I did fall in love with that savoury vol au vent, but now I've spotted the one with mascarpone and chocolate….
The flaky layers in your pastry look heavenly!
Zita
I see we have similar thoughts on the filling Deb… beautiful vols au vent, and a belated congrats on the macarons 😉
Sara
Wow, these are so pretty! I especially like the one with the different fruits…they look so beautiful and delicious! YUM!
MaryMoh
mmmm…..looks awesome and looks delicious. Very beautiful photography. I don't mind to put on weight eating these…hehe
meeso
You brave, bold, daring bakers 😀
meeso
You brave, bold, daring bakers 😀
Lolah
What a wonderful pictures!
The mascarpone coffee filling looks delicious!
A great, great job.
A kiss from Spain.
Dragon
You're so creative with your fillings! Always an impressive finished challenge. 🙂
MandyM
The coffee mascarpone looks INCREDIBLE! I also love the look of the star fruit on the vols-au-vent.
Your fillings are absolutely stunning 🙂
Jamie
Deeba, too too divine! I think the puff pastry came out perfectly puffy and I would kill for a vol-au-vent filled with coffee-flavored mascarpone. Brill!
Amy I.
Deeba! Your vols-au-vent look amazing, I never would have been able to tell that you were struggling with the weather from the way they look. Love the flavors you chose too, and I so admire that you made 3 different attempts… now that's dedication! Well done!
Parita
Fantastic!! i loved the coffee mascarpone one..gorgeous!
Tracy @ Sugarcrafter
Gorgeous! And coffee marscapone…I'm drooling!
The Cooking Ninja
ooh…yummy. I have yet to pick up my courage to try puff pastry. I once tried making croissants after being so inspired by a chef on tv and how easy it was to make one. Tried twice in Singapore (many yrs ago & way before I live in France), I had butter oozing out all over the table faster than I can roll and fold the dough. Of course back then, I didn't know that fridge would be my best friend and the thing to look for help. I learn about this many years later. :p
Beth
It's so great that you were able to do so many things with the puff pastry, and that you made it until it came out correctly. Nice job!
RJ Flamingo
They look delicious, Deeba! So pretty! Who cares about height, anyway? Your fillings sound to-die-for!
Judy@nofearentertaining
Oh Deeba, they are turly beautiful. Don't listen to hubby!!! 3 tries??!! You surely are the most determined DB ever! Really have to try your mascarpone recipe!
Peggy Bourjaily
Deeba, yours looks fabulous! Mine were a little dense, which is definitely not how it should've been. However, I really enjoyed my first challenge!
Helene
I usually eat my vols-aux-vents with chicken. Love the idea to serve them for dessert. Very well done.
Rosa's Yummy Yums
Your creations are stunning! Everything looks so scrumptious! I particularly like that coffee mascarpone filling…
Great clicks!
Cheers,
Rosa
Barbara Bakes
Great job! Yours may not have puffed as much as others, but the presentation and delicious fillings out shine us all!
Anh
Beautifully done!
Shabs..
Deeba….I dono how long i kept staring at ur pics…they are really E X C E L L E N T!…That coffe mascarpone left me drooling for sometime and loved that mushrrom filling as well,,/….my hubby would love anything savoury that goes into a puff shell!And me sweet….Another great post!
Hugs,
shab..
Jo
You really went all the way out with all those flavours. Every single one is just as delicious as the previous. Beautiful photos and presentation as always.
maybelle's mom
the coffee one is wonderful.
glamah16
Bravo! Well done. I esp like the lighter ones with Star fruit.
anna
Oh my goodness Deeba, those are all so stunning! And not stunning for someone in a puff pastry-unfriendly environment, but stunning for ANYONE. I really love the coffee one, and the fruit – so pretty! I really wanted to try making mascarpone from your recipe for this challenge but just couldn't find the time. 🙁
culinography
Wow! Absolutely beautiful! Well done!
My Experiments with Cooking
First time on your blog. Beautiful beautiful pictures, aww!
Dips
Just wow !! And didnt I know I would get some amazing filling ideas from my fellow DB's ..I guess Im gonna keep trying all for atleast a month to come..
Amazing job!!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction
Your puffs look great, even though they weren't as puffed as you had hoped. Mine weren't either – I'm looking forward to giving them a second try soon when the weather is cooler. I think I will have to try your whipped coffee mascarpone when I do – that sounds incredible!
Namratha
Wow, these are some gorgeous fillings Deeba, well done!
Cakelaw
Gorgeous Deeba! I love the marscapone ones with the fruit.
Ninette
Oh my, I would say you've done several challenges and more! And your second attempt looks like it rose quite high! Gorgeous recipes.
Rachel
That is just gorgeous. what fruit did u use? I just love the coffee ones..good job!
dipti
totally yum pictures. I bet they tasted great too. JUst had my dinner, but now am in mood for dessert after seeing those pastries
Dharm
Deeba! You are amazing! The puff pastry and all the fillings are just fantastic! And its really hard getting them to puff up so nicely with the heat that both of us live in… And when you are such a babe, there is a lot more extra heat in the kitchen too! *Wink*
Frenchie
Well, you obviously got it spot on, it's too bad that the weather was so warm. The frustration of trying to roll dough in too-hot weather is almost comical, I have totally been there. You did a great job nonetheless, whipped coffee mascarpone is right up my alley, I wish I could have tasted it.
Ahmad
Wow deeba your pictures are so nice to look at!
I'm sorry your pastries didn't rise as well as you wanted them to! Don't worry, you can always try again after your arms recover.
You did an awesome job.
Monika
despite the hot weather and butter shortage, your vols-au-vent look great! i love your fillings, especially the whipped coffee mascarpone one 🙂 great job!
Junglefrog
Wow, do all of those look amazing… Even though they might not all have puffed up as you wanted, you still managed to make them look absolutely amazing. And I love your versions with the mascarpone fillings! I have this thing for mascarpone as well. It's just soooo tasty…:)
Cathy/ShowFoodChef
Loved the coffee mascarpone, and all the pics look amazing. Fabulous.
peasepudding
Yum, the flavours sound fabulous!
sweetakery
oh wow! Your creations are stunning! Everything looks so scrumptious! well done!
Anita
Poor you with such high temperatures! You've done such a great job, I love the coffee mascarpone one, it would be a fantastic dessert!
Núria
Dear Deeba, no worries about not visiting… we all know how hard is to keep track of everyone in the net :D.
As always, visiting your blog is a pleasure to the senses! You do a fantastic job girl♥
Audax
They look amazing I'm stunned they sounds wonderful. Bravo bravo bravo – and your photos are truely professional. The coffee ones is especially nice. Cheers from Audax in Australia
shaz
So many yummy choices and they all look beautiful. Love the pic of the star fruit one 🙂
Yasmeen
Love all the flavors,Deeba. I had the melting butter prob. in one of the batches I baked.Temperature control is the deal here,I let it sit in fridge for few minutes before rolling and also baking.I even froze my rolling pin 🙂
Vrinda
Gorgeous pastry..coffee mascarpone sounds heavenly…
bethany (Dirty Kitchen Secrets)
absolutely Beautiful! If only i could reach into my screen for even only a bite!
MeetaK
that coffee mascarpone sounds too damn good! love your choice of fillings here and i have to say that even without the rise those 1st batches look very classy!
ABowlOfMush
Love the one with the star fruit, its so pretty!
Lori
I love them all but I have to say the coffee one is speaking to me.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
You never fail to impress! Wow, yours look amazing and I don't know how you could choose to try just one. I'd love to try them all! 🙂
Soma
The coffee mascarpone is calling my name:-D & I love the star fruit, makes it look really good. what a neat idea.
6p01053695af5a970b
I had a craving to use mascarpone in my filling too. Every time someone talks about the butter oozing out…I can't help but think that sounds even tastier, even if it doesn't puff up as much! Beautiful creations!
Denise@There's a Newf in My Soup!
Your Whipped Coffee Mascarpone Vols-au-Vent is definitely the bomb!
vibi
Absolutely marvelous… just as usual, but on a much more technical challenge (finally)!!!
WOW! I'm always in awe when I hit your pages…
Jenny Tan
Wow, they all look absolutely delicious! But I must say the whipped coffee mascarpone V-a-V caught my attention right away! Look the the chocolate on the edge of the V-a-V!! Yum! 🙂
Esi
Wow, both versions are incredible, but that whipped mascarpone?! I can't wait to make mine…eventually.
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
They're all just beautiful, Deeba! I'll take a whipped coffee mascarpone filled vol-au-vent, please!! 🙂
Stellar job, especially with your weather and butter obstacles!
Arwen from Hoglet K
Oh, the mocha marscapone looks gorgeous! Your puff is so much better on the second attempt – good job. It's exciting that you got your daughter eating mushrooms too.
Manggy
Very well done, Deeba- find it hard to believe that there's a butter shortage, though 🙂
Aparna
Second time lucky, Deeba? They look fantastic. Where would we be without Twitter, huh? 🙂
I knew there would be coffee somewhere here. 😉
lisaiscooking
All of your variations look delectable! I especially want to taste the coffee mascarpone filling. I really need to make homemade mascarpone and puff pastry!
avdi
This looks like uber professional. yummy !
Katrina
Goodness! They all look like such goodness! Great work on the puff pastry–a very dangerous thing for me to have around because I love it so much! All three look divine. Love how pretty the star fruit one is.
Cookie baker Lynn
I'm in awe of all your creativity and patience in the kitchen. They all look beautiful. Congrats on your mushroom victory! And, am I the only one that sees a face in that star fruit?
Natashya KitchenPuppies
Oh my goodness! They are all so amazing. I will start with the mushroom and red pepper ones.. and then coffee ones for dessert! I think it is worth the airfare. 🙂
Jane
Wow, Deeba! You are one baking wonder-woman! These look just wonderful, every one of them. All of the Daring Baker versions of these vol au vents have given me a bit of courage to try puff pastry myself. I am a puff-pastry coward, but I must overcome the fear! 😉 Love your photos, your posts, the whole kit and kaboodle, as usual.
Jane
Cheri
I love your filling choices, especially the coffee flavoured mascarpone.. I will have to check out the recipe. Even if the vols au vent didn't puff up very much they look absolutely stunning. Your presentation is flawless.
Vera
Deeba, I think they are beautiful, very much so! Love your fillings!
Y
Bummer about the weather making the task extra challenging! Looks like the pastries still turned out fantastically though. I especially love that coffee flavoured dessert.
Nagesh.MVS
How beautiful Deeba!
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