The perfect profiterole

Below is my recipe for the perfect Chocolate profiterole, The orange in the cream really helps finish it off. I have tried to write it out as simple as i can any comments positive or negative then please let me know

Chocolate and Orange Profiteroles

Ingredients:

·         85g unsalted butter

·         200ml cold water

·         4 teaspoons caster sugar

·         115g plain flour

·         pinch of salt

·         3 medium eggs beaten

For the Cream Filling

·         600ml double Cream

·         zest of 3 oranges

For the Sauce

·         50g caster sugar

·         175g plain chocolate

1.     Preheat the oven to 200 degrees

2.     Lightly oil a baking tray

3.     To make the pastry, place the butter and sugar into a large pan with 200ml cold water

4.     Place over a low heat to melt the butter. Now increase the heat

5.     Add the flour and the salt

6.     Remove from the heat

7.     Quickly beat the mixture vigorously till a smooth paste is formed

8.     Once smooth add back to the heat

9.     Stir for one minute then once again remove it

10.  Add the eggs bit by bit mixing well

11.  Continue beating the mix until the paste is smooth and glossy

12.  It should have a dropping consistency

13.  Dip a teaspoon into some warm water and lift out a spoonful of the mixture and place on baking trap rubbing the end to make a smooth round ball

14.  Place in the oven

15.  Bake for 10 – 20 mins until golden brown

16.  Remove from the oven and prick the base of each profiterole

17.  Place back on the baking tray with the hole facing up and cook for a further 5 minutes to dry the inside of the profiterole so they aren’t soggy

18.  Take out and put on a cooling rack and leave to cool

19.  To make the cream. Lightly whip the cream with the orange zest until soft peaks are formed

20.  Don’t overwhip

21.  Once the profiteroles are cold. Fill with the cream

22.  To make the sauce. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Put the sugar into a small pan with 100ml of water and bring to the boil.

23.  Stir the Melted chocolate and add the water and sugar mix into the chocolate and stir until smooth and shiny

24.  Dip the profiteroles top end first into the chocolate sauce then put in fridge to set

A great thai inspired soup

Sorry people i know i havent blogged a lot recently i have had a lot of personal things to sort out.

On twitter I was talking to a fellow tweeter and telling them about an amazing soup i have made on many occasions. Below is the recipe for;

Roasted Butternut, Coconut and Chilli Soup
A great thai inspired warming soup lovely for hot summer days or cold wintry days


Ingredients (serves 6)       
750 ml Veg stock              
2 Butternut Squash              
15g Coriander                      
1 Knob of Ginger Grated       
2 Red Chillis                         
2 Cloves Garlic                      
250 ml Coconut milk         
4 Shallots                             
2 Lemon Grass                    

1. Top and tail the Butternut Squash, cut down the middle, scoop out the seeds and dice the butternut
2. Roast the Butternut with a 1/4 of the Chilli, half the coriander and salt and pepper with olive oil for about 20-30 minutes until the butternut becomes soft
3. Fry the thinly diced shallots in a sauce pan, add the garlic and the rest of the chilli and ginger
4. Add the stock and lemon grass and then cook for about ten minutes 
5. Add the roasted buttenut and coconut milk and simmer for 10 minutes 
6. Season, Puree and serve