Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Special equipment needed:
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Pastry bag with a star tip
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet to about 1/8 inch thickness.
3. Cut the pastry sheet into 3 equal rectangles and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Prick the pastry rectangles all over with a fork to prevent them from puffing up too much.
5. Bake the pastry rectangles for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Let them cool completely.
6. In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
7. In another bowl, mix the sliced strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Let them sit for 10 minutes to macerate.
8. To assemble the mille-feuille, place one pastry rectangle on a serving plate. Pipe a layer of whipped cream on top of the pastry.
9. Add a layer of sliced strawberries on top of the whipped cream.
10. Place another pastry rectangle on top of the strawberries and repeat the layers of whipped cream and strawberries.
11. Top with the final pastry rectangle and dust with powdered sugar.
12. Chill the mille-feuille in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
Time:
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 15-20 minutes
Temperature:
Oven temperature: 400°F (200°C)
Refrigerator temperature: 40°F (4°C)
Serving size:
This recipe serves 4-6 people.
Nutritional information:
Calories per serving: 350
Fat: 23g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Protein: 4g
Sodium: 70mg
Sugar: 16g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- Puff pastry can be substituted with phyllo dough or pie crust.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with whipped topping or coconut cream.
- Powdered sugar can be substituted with granulated sugar or honey.
- Vanilla extract can be substituted with almond extract or rum extract.
- Strawberries can be substituted with other berries or sliced peaches.
Variations:
- Chocolate Mille-Feuille: Add a layer of chocolate ganache or Nutella between the layers of whipped cream and strawberries.
- Lemon Mille-Feuille: Add lemon zest and juice to the whipped cream and use lemon curd instead of sliced strawberries.
- Mixed Berry Mille-Feuille: Use a mixture of sliced strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for the filling.
Tips and tricks:
- Make sure the puff pastry is completely thawed before rolling it out.
- Prick the pastry with a fork to prevent it from puffing up too much.
- Whip the cream until stiff peaks form to prevent it from becoming runny.
- Let the strawberries macerate in sugar and lemon juice to bring out their natural sweetness.
Storage instructions:
Store the mille-feuille in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating instructions:
The mille-feuille is best served chilled, but if you prefer it warm, you can reheat it in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes.
Presentation ideas:
- Dust the mille-feuille with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
- Drizzle melted chocolate or caramel sauce over the top.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.
Garnishes:
- Fresh mint leaves
- Chocolate shavings
- Caramel sauce
- Whipped cream
Pairings:
- Champagne
- Rosé wine
- Iced tea
Suggested side dishes:
- Mixed green salad
- Grilled vegetables
- Roasted potatoes
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the pastry is too thick, it may not cook evenly. Roll it out thinner next time.
- If the cream is too runny, it may not hold up well in the mille-feuille. Whip it until stiff peaks form.
- If the strawberries are too tart, add more sugar to the maceration mixture.
Food safety advice:
- Make sure to wash the strawberries thoroughly before slicing them.
- Store the mille-feuille in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage.
- Discard any leftovers that have been sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Food history:
Mille-feuille, which means "thousand leaves" in French, is a classic French pastry that dates back to the 18th century. It consists of layers of puff pastry and pastry cream, often topped with fondant or powdered sugar. The addition of fresh fruit, such as strawberries, is a modern twist on this traditional dessert.
Flavor profiles:
The Strawberry & Cream Mille-Feuille is a sweet and creamy dessert with a crispy, buttery pastry and juicy, tangy strawberries.
Serving suggestions:
Serve the mille-feuille as a dessert after a fancy dinner party or as a sweet treat for a special occasion.
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Region: French