Daring Bakers in September: Vols-au-Vent with Michel Richard’s Puff Pastry Dough
September 27, 2009 at 12:05 am | Posted in daring bakers, groups, other savory, other sweet, savory things, sweet things | 97 Comments
After more than two years as a Daring Baker (it all started with a mirror cake…), I’m so excited that Liz and Ivonne have asked me to host a challenge! Woo-hoo! But oh no–what to pick?? Looking over past challenges, I realized that we’ve covered a lot of territory! One thing we haven’t made since I’ve been in the group, though, is our own puff pastry (aka pâte feuilletée). Puff is something most of us usually buy at the grocery store, but in order to be really daring, we should try to make our own at least once, right?
Puff pastry is in the “laminated dough” family, along with Danish dough and croissant dough. (In fact, if you participated in the Danish Braid challenge back in June 2008, then you already know the general procedure for working with laminated dough.) A laminated dough consists of a large block of butter (called the beurrage) that is enclosed in dough (called the détrempe). This dough/butter packet is called a paton, and is rolled and folded repeatedly (a process known as “turning”) to create the crisp, flaky, parallel layers you see when baked. Unlike Danish or croissant however, puff pastry dough contains no yeast in the détrempe, and relies solely aeration to achieve its high rise. The turning process creates hundreds of layers of butter and dough, with air trapped between each one. In the hot oven, water in the dough and the melting butter creates steam, which expands in the trapped air pockets, forcing the pastry to rise.
I picked a recipe for homemade puff pastry from Michel Richard, as it appears in the book Baking with Julia by Dorie Greenspan. In order to showcase off the hundreds of flaky, golden, buttery layers in the homemade puff, we formed a portion of it into vols-au-vent– little puff pastry cases designed to hold a filling. They can be made large enough for a full meal, or made small for little one-bite canapés. Vols-au-vent are typically served hot and filled with a creamy savory filling (often poultry or seafood-based), but cold fillings, such as chicken or tuna salad, work, too. Whipped cream or pastry cream with fresh or stewed fruit often goes into sweet versions.
Sizes of and fillings for the vols-au-vent were left up to the individual baker. I made three types: a smoked salmon mousse canapé, a larger main course-size filled with tuna salad and a sweet version with vanilla whipped cream and bright red tristar strawberries.
As it’s a little long, here’s a printable link to the recipe for puff pastry, as well as instructions for forming vol-au-vents and some extra tips. Also, there is a wonderful on-line video from the PBS show “Baking with Julia” that accompanies the book. In it, Michel Richard and Julia Child demonstrate making puff pastry dough (although they go on to use it in other applications). Dont’ be put off by the length of time it takes to make your own puff pastry (most of it is inactive, while waiting for the dough to chill between turns)…it really isn’t that hard to do! I encourage anyone who has never made puff before to take a look at the video, get some good butter, and give it a try!
Thanks so much to everyone who participated in this month’s challenge– I know it required a lot of time and a lot of butter, both of which are precious commodities. I appreciate your feedback and advice in the forums…not to mention your fabulous results!! Also, of course, great big hugs go to Liz and Ivonne, not only for starting this group, but for keeping it alive and fun and so well-organized! Check out the Daring Bakers’ Blogroll for more adventures in puff!
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.
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Gorgeous vols-au-vent! Mine were not quite as pretty, but they were super fun to make and really delicious! Thanks for coming up with such an awesome challenge. I definitely NEVER would have made puff pastry on my own, but they were really fun and yummy, and I’m so glad I tried it! 🙂
Comment by sara— September 27, 2009 #
I just wanted to say thank you for what has been with out a doubt my favourite challenge to date. This is something that has been on my to do list for a ridiculous number of years……and now it’s done! Thanks so much! I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was so easy….I’ll never feel intimidated to try it again. Fantastic choice!
Comment by debbie— September 27, 2009 #
Great choice! I think I’ll go enjoy one right now.
Comment by Judy— September 27, 2009 #
Steph, a big hug to you for choosing this challenge. The best thing is we can see so many different filling. Creativity is in the air, isn’t it? 😀
Comment by Anh— September 27, 2009 #
Hi Steph, thank you so much for hosting this month challenge. It was really fun and delicious!
Comment by elra— September 27, 2009 #
Hi Steph,
Thanks for choosing this recipe as this event made me realize that I have a baker in me who is crying to get out. Unlike the amatuerish baking that I used to do a year or so ago DB has made me make it more presentable..
Thanks once again and you have a beautiful blog!!
Comment by kriatv— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks so much for hosting and for this challenge Steph! Your vols-au-vent look so professional and how puff pastry should rise. I didnt get mine to rise as much as I expected/thought they would but they still tasted great! Thanks again for pushing me to new heights!
Comment by Dharm— September 27, 2009 #
OH… and I wasn’t really being rude in my post with the things ‘M’ said about you… all just for the fun of it!!
LOL!
Comment by Dharm— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks for a great challenge Steph! It was a great month!
Comment by Karen— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks for a great challenge Steph, we loved it! It was my first time making puff pastry and i’m really happy with how they turned out. Yours look fabulous.
Comment by food.baby— September 27, 2009 #
Your vol-au vents looks fantastic! A great callenge.
Comment by Lolah— September 27, 2009 #
Hi Steph, thanks for a great challenge this month. Totally loved it and I must say that yours look fabulous. The layers are so flaky and the filings look yummy too.
Comment by jo— September 27, 2009 #
Thank you for such a fabulous challenge Steph. I’m glad I strayed outside my confort zone – I’m definitely making my own puff pastry from now on. Nothing beats the taste and texture.
Your strawberry vol au vent look absolutely yummy… Thanks again!
Comment by shaz— September 27, 2009 #
Loved the perfect layers. Great job!
Comment by Ramya Kiran— September 27, 2009 #
Congratulations on being a DB for so long, and for hosting this month’s challenge – I’m continually inspired by your baking expertise!
Comment by VeggieGirl— September 27, 2009 #
Thank you so much for picking this challenge and hosting it. We love puff pastry (is there anyone who doesn’t?). I had some issues, but they got sorted out eventually.
Of course, your vol-au-vents look gorgeous.
Comment by Aparna— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks for being our host this month Steph – love your fillings. I am also happy to have more home-made puff pastry stashed for future use in the freezer.
Comment by Cakelaw— September 27, 2009 #
Super défi à réaliser Steph ! merci beaucoup de l’avoir proposé ! c’était bien le fun à faire 🙂
Comment by isabelle— September 27, 2009 #
Love them all!
Comment by rachel— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks for this fantastic challenge. I never thought to ever try make my own puff pastry but it turns out I absolutely love it, from the process to the eating.
I had a lot of fun with this challenge and still have filling ideas rampaging through my brain for a later time.
This recipe is a keeper!
🙂
Comment by MandyM— September 27, 2009 #
Your pastry looks perfect. great job!!
Comment by Michele— September 27, 2009 #
Hey well done – they look fantastic! Mine are up in all their glory as well.
Comment by kim at allconsuming— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks for hosting this challenge. I enjoyed it and like you said not too sure if I would have ever made it myself. Your vols-au-vent’s are beautiful.
Comment by Sweet Pea— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks so much for hosting this Steph and what a great recipe and idea you picked! I loved making these and can’t imagine buying them from the supermarket anymore! 🙂
Comment by Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella— September 27, 2009 #
I’ve only made puff pastry once and can attest to the patience and volume of butter required. Your results are spectacular!!
Comment by Arlene— September 27, 2009 #
Steph, I just wanted to thank you again for hosting this month’s buttery challenge. I think we all feel as though we conquered a recipe which we may have not dared to attempt before. Ergo the title Daring Bakers. 🙂 You made a delicious choice and I now have much more confidence in my baking capabilities! My only mistake was not copying the part of the recipe which explains where to put the egg wash on the pastry. I used far too much and my puffs did not puff up very far. 😛 However, my taste for store bough puff pastry has been tarnished and I plan on using this recipe in the future. Thanks!!
Comment by Valerie Catrice— September 27, 2009 #
Hi Steph,
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed this challenge. This was probably the easiest puff pastry I have ever worked with. Thanks for all the great tips to help us complete it!
Comment by Little Miss Cupcake— September 27, 2009 #
I love the pic with the strawberries, gorgeous! And what a great challenge, great choice!
Comment by Allie— September 27, 2009 #
Thank you Steph for this wonderful challenge I really enjoyed it so so so much this is the 1st time I hsve ever made puff pastry and I found it it to be a great experience and the chosing the fillings is almost as much fun. I did a heap of them.
Your trio of shells are great and those strawberries are so rich and read. Marvellous layers in the puff. And thanks again for chosing puff pastry it is great recipe to have under my belt.
Cheers from Audax in Austalia.
Comment by Audax Artifex— September 27, 2009 #
Thank you for hosting this Challenge. It was fun to make my own puff pastry and I will make it again, at least for special occasions.
Comment by Andreas— September 27, 2009 #
These are SO beautiful!! I love how simple and clean you make them. Perfect!
Comment by Sues— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks for a great challenge, Steph!!
Comment by culinography— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks for a wonderful challenge!! I enjoyed playing with it very much =D. Yours look stunning!
Comment by Lauren— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks so much for picking this challenge! I would probably never have attempted to make my own puff pastry if it wasn’t for the challenge. It was actually easier then I had feared it would be and I loved the results! Love your choice of fillings too!
Comment by junglefrog— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks for hosting such a beautiful challenge Steph. I loved it to the ‘T’, even though my pastry didn’t behave given the high temperatures in my part of the world…but gosh, it tasted YUM! Am just trying to finalise my post, but thought I’d stop by before that!
Comment by deeba— September 27, 2009 #
Hello, Steph. I’m a Daring Baker’s member too and i’d like to thank you for this amazing challenge. I enjoyed so much making this. I learned a lot too.
Your vols-au-vent look beautiful and tasty! congrats
Comment by Maria Beatrix— September 27, 2009 #
Believe me, Steph, the pleasure was all ours! You have been a tremendous hostess and your challenge has been one of my very favourites. Your execution of the vol-au-vents is stunning. Congratulatons on a job well done!!!
Comment by Ivonne— September 27, 2009 #
Steph – superb!!! I love that PBS online video vault – and have watched that episode. Only made P pastry once, and it’s a chore (at least mine was). These photos are spectacular – I love the flakey, layered look and the strawberries… simply wonderful!
Comment by mike— September 27, 2009 #
Wow what a rise! Thanx for the challenging challenge!
Comment by Gala— September 27, 2009 #
All your vol-au-vents look fantastic. Love how you have got one for each part of the meal – starter, main and dessert! Thanks for choosing such a fab challange
Comment by Katie— September 27, 2009 #
WOW! So flaky, golden and puffy! 🙂 Just beautiful! Love your photos too:) THANKS SO MUCH for the great challenge-I loved it!
Comment by Sue— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks for hosting a great challenge. I did one on my own a few months back, and I know how much work it is!! Your vols-au-vents look perfect, I love how we can see the flaky layers, crazy.
Comment by JennyBakes— September 27, 2009 #
Your puff looks perfect…you can almost count the 729 layers!! Love all the tips too.
Comment by Shari— September 27, 2009 #
Steph, thank you so much for a fantastic challenge, I really enjoyed it every step of the way. Your vols-au-vent look phenomenal!! Thanks again, my baking confidence really great a lot from this one.
Comment by Amy I.— September 27, 2009 #
Thank you for a great challenge! I would have never tried this if it weren’t for you and the Daring Bakers.
Comment by Ninette— September 27, 2009 #
Thank you for this wonderful challenge!! It was the first time i made puff pastry at home and it came out really good!
Comment by Parita— September 27, 2009 #
Beautiful.
Comment by Judy— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks for organizing such a great challenge, Steph! This was my first and it was a blast. Can’t wait for the next time!
Comment by Almost Slowfood— September 27, 2009 #
Hi Steph! Thank you so much for choosing this challenge. I’ve been wanting to make my own puff pastry for ages, but your instructions and pictures actually got me to make it. I love your vols-au-vent and beautiful pictures. Thanks again!
Comment by Singing Horse— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks so much for a great challenge! I loved making the puff pastry. I don’t know if I will ever be able to buy store bought again! 🙂
Comment by Jenni— September 27, 2009 #
Thank you so much for such a great challenge Steph, not only was it a great workout but it was a lot of fun. Store bought puff pastry just cannot compare, so I guess my arms will be getting pretty strong.
Comment by Frenchie— September 27, 2009 #
thanks for the excellent challenge. it was so much fun.
Comment by maybelles mom— September 27, 2009 #
Thank you for really great challenge. I imagine everyone was really happy with this and thier creativity shows!
Comment by Courtney aka glamah— September 27, 2009 #
Thanks for a great challenge Steph, I’m thrilled I was able to make puff pastry at home. My mom’s gonna be very proud 🙂
Your vols-au-vents are out of this world!!
Comment by Namratha— September 27, 2009 #
Thank you for hosting a fabulous challenge. I had a lot of fun working with the dough.
Comment by Lori— September 27, 2009 #
That pastry looks deliciously perfect! Ive made crossants a couple of times…it was very time consuming.
Gorgeous photos too.
Rose
Comment by Roses R Red— September 27, 2009 #
your puff pastry looks like one of the best I have seen! all those layers. how wonderful. sorry I didnt get to bake this one with you this month
Comment by Tammy— September 27, 2009 #
A big thank you, Steph! I didn’t know I could make puff pastry until now…though it didn’t turned out as gorgeous as yours. Also thanks so much for your help when I so needed one at the last minute! 😛 It was fun! 🙂
Comment by Jenny Tan— September 27, 2009 #
Steph, thank you so much for the challenge, lots of fun and brought make many memories!
Comment by peasepudding— September 28, 2009 #
Thanks for hosting and choosing so well. Yours are fabulous!
Comment by cathy/showfoodchef— September 28, 2009 #
Great job on choosing Vol au vent for this month’s challenge. Thanks Steph, it was great fun! 🙂
Comment by Suzana— September 28, 2009 #
Your puff pastry and vols-au-vents look perfect! Thanks so much for this great challenge! I’ve always wanted to make puff pastry and this was the push I needed 🙂
Comment by Anita— September 28, 2009 #
Ciao Steph ! I really loved this challenge ! It was the one I feared since the beginning and… it was fun !!! Grazie !
Comment by natalia— September 28, 2009 #
Thanks, Steph, for hosting this great challenge. I really appreciate that you chose this recipe without the extra butter incorporated in the dough. I previously tried that recipe and failed but with this recipe I had success ( after ironing out a couple of issues!!!) Your fillings look delish!
Comment by marcellina— September 28, 2009 #
thank you thank you thank you for this challenge i had a lot of fun playing around with this!
Comment by Meeta— September 28, 2009 #
Oh my goodness! I didn’t realize that these are the ones you made! When I saw them along with the recipe you provided, I thought they were all done professionally and you got the photos off Google or something. Seriously, they look amazing!!
Also, I wanted to thank you for the fun challenge and detailed recipe you provided – that was really helpful!
Comment by Kitchen M— September 28, 2009 #
Thank you for the chance to make puff pastry – it was so much easier than I thought it would be! I never got the chance to post it (Blogherfood + work + life), but rest assured that I absolutely loved this challenge!
Comment by Caitlin— September 28, 2009 #
Thanks for this challenge. Have made puff pastry before, but not vols-au-vent. Fun. Yours are gorgeous.
Comment by teaandscones— September 28, 2009 #
Great challenge, Steph! I made dessert vols-au-vent like your’s with strawberries and vanilla whipped cream. I have plenty of dough left so I think I’ll have to try it with your smoke salmon mouse. Great pics (as always)!
Comment by theeclecticconnoisseur— September 28, 2009 #
Thank you for such a nice challenge Steph, I appreciated it even more so… that it was (finally) a real challenge! Yours are very pretty and technically flawless!
Comment by vibi— September 28, 2009 #
Thank you for a great challenge! I never thought I would conquer puff pastry.
Comment by Marija— September 28, 2009 #
HUGE hit at my house. Fabulous challenge – thank you so much!
Comment by Madam Chow— September 28, 2009 #
Thanks for this great challenge! I had a lot of fun playing around with this!
Your vols-au-vent looks beautiful!
Comment by isa— September 28, 2009 #
It was a lovely challenge – I have learned a lot of new techniques. Oneday, maybe, I’ll get the pastries looking like those snazzy little pastries you have made. Thanks so much for a wonderful challenge.
Comment by heather peskin— September 28, 2009 #
Thanks so much, Steph! Besides making beautiful puffs yourself, you’ve introduced me to a fantastic new recipe and really boosted my culinary confidence!
Comment by Julie— September 28, 2009 #
Great challenge! I will never again buy puff pastry from the store! =)
Comment by Kelly Mecker— September 28, 2009 #
I LOVE Michel Richard! LOVE LOVE LOVE Him. He is one of the biggest chefs in DC next to Jose Andres, and while I was living there, I went to Central Michel Richard so many times because of his amazing lobster burger! Awesome choice for this puff pastry – all over the blogosphere it seems like it was a huge success!
Comment by Teanna— September 28, 2009 #
Steph, amazing challenge choice. I LOVE Michel’s puff pastry recipe, and was in heaven when I saw you chose it! That said, your vols au vents are stunning, perfect layers and color. I need to practice these more…when I get better 🙂
Comment by lisamichele— September 29, 2009 #
Thanks for hosting- I had wanted to try my hand at homemade puff pastry for ages, so I’m glad I finally had an excuse to make it!
Comment by Hannah— September 29, 2009 #
thanks so much for such a great challenge. This was my first one and I can only hope that next months is as much fun. You vols-au-vents look amazing
Comment by crumbsoflove— September 29, 2009 #
I think that this might have been my favorite challenge in the year since I’ve joined up with the DB’s. It really made me feel like a super hero. So thanks for that boost, and yours look gorgeous!
Comment by Alana— September 29, 2009 #
Thanks for a great challenge Steph!
Your vols au vent are much higher and lovelier than mine, but I loved the way mine tasted. I’ll definitely make puff pastry again, esp. since using it to make pizza won rave reviews over here.
Thanks again!
Comment by Winnie— September 29, 2009 #
I just wanted to stop by and say THANK YOU for choosing such a great challenge! I haven’t made puff pastry in a long time and your notes were really great and it brought it all back to memory for me. Loved this challenge! 🙂
Comment by Jill— September 29, 2009 #
Thanks for a great challenge!
Comment by LegalAlien— September 30, 2009 #
Very well done! Your pastry is magnificently puffy and looks so flaky! I love your choice of fillings!
Cheers,
Rosa
Comment by Rosa— September 30, 2009 #
Gorgeous pastry and fillings. Thanks for this challenge, I doubt I would have made it without you!
Comment by art and lemons— October 1, 2009 #
Thanks for the great challenge! Your pastries look awesome!
Comment by Kimberly— October 1, 2009 #
You made a great choice with this one Steph. Bravo!
Comment by Eliana— October 1, 2009 #
Hi Steph,
Just wanted to thank you for choosing such a great recipe. I had alot of fun making it, and was very very happy with the outcome. I think that these home made puff pastry tastes soo much better than the store bought ones. I’ll be making extra puff pastries to store in the freezer, as they’re very handy. Once again, thank you =D
Comment by linda— October 1, 2009 #
Thanks so much for this great challenge. I have made puff many times before but this is going to be my go to recipe from now on!
Comment by Alaskan Dermish— October 2, 2009 #
Thanks again for picking a fantastic challenge 🙂
Comment by Y— October 3, 2009 #
Hi Steph!! Great choice!! Your Vol-au-Vent are incredible and so delicious!!
Thank you for hostess a beautiful challenge!!
Comment by AnaMobula— October 4, 2009 #
Wow, Princess Stephanie! These are royal! I am so excited to see yours. They are just beautiful. I don’t know where I’ve been but all I can say is WOW! THis is without a doubt a show stopper. Congratulations on your choice and your hosting op. Almost 100 comments too. I can’t imagine. Anyway. Thanks for all your encouragement to make PP as well. I just acquired Baking w/Julia in recent weeks and so I may actually give it a whirl. Wonder if you can freeze it for the holidays?
AmyRuth
Comment by Amy Ruth— October 5, 2009 #
Amy Ruth– Puff is perfect for the freezer! If you are making your own, once you’ve completed all the turns, I’d advise you to roll it into sheets before wrapping and freezing. Then they defrost quickly and you can use them just like store-bought.
Comment by steph (whisk/spoon)— October 5, 2009 #
great pick! I enjoyed this one, just wish I hadn’t put it off for so long (like I always do). I like the idea of using them as a savory dish for appetizers 🙂
Comment by Jaime— October 5, 2009 #
This was my first DB challenge and I loved it! Thank you so much for choosing puff pastry as I have always wanted to try it but have never “dared”. Your vols-au-vent are just gorgeous and so inspiring.
Comment by Jamie— October 10, 2009 #
I just wanted to thank you for all the hard work in making this so clear and easy to understand…thanks for all the tips and links. I am doing it right now and hope to post about it on my blog soon. Wonderful job!
Comment by Ellie— December 17, 2009 #