Named after the route of a bicycle race that runs from the French capital Paris to Brest, a naval town in Brittany, the wheel-shaped pastry has inspired many since 1910. While only the Durand et fils may own the secret recipe of Paris-Brest, our pistachio studded baked choux pastry ring filled with vanilla bean mousseline crème will blow your mind away. Chef Kobi Brown gives a nod to harvest season in Andapa, Madagascar & whips the most heavenly vanilla bean mousseline crème to replace the traditional hazelnut & almond praline flavoured crème filling.
~ Gather Your Ingredients ~
THE FILLING: VANILLA BEAN MOUSSELINE CRÈME
CHOUX PASTRY
FOR THE CRACKLE ON TOP: CRAQUELIN
FOR ASSEMBLING THE PARIS-BREST
~ Preparation Instructions ~
VANILLA BEAN MOUSSELINE CRÈME
- Warm milk on low heat in a heavy base sauce pan.
- Slit the vanilla bean & carefully scrape the vanilla caviar with a pairing knife.
- In a mixing bowl, add egg yolk, sugar, corn flour & the vanilla caviar. Whisk all together.
- Pour the mixture into the milk, add the vanilla pod as well and keep stirring until you get a thicker consistency.
- Add 60 g butter and mix well to incorporate in the mousseline crème.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool for few minutes. Remove the vanilla pod.
- Cover the mixture with cling film & store in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, whisk the remaining butter until soft in a standard mixture and keep aside.
- Remove the cooled crème mixture & whisk together with the softened butter gradually until fully homogenised.
CRAQUELIN
- Add the butter, flour & sugar and beat all ingredients using a mixing machine till they come together and smooth.
- Spread the dough evenly on a silicone mat or parchment paper. Then cover with another mat or parchment paper.
- With the aid of a rolling pin, roll out dough to about 1mm thickness.
- Keep in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes for the dough to harden.
- Remove from freezer and cut into pieces to be placed on top of the choux pastry.
CHOUX PASTRY
- In a sauce pan bring to boil milk, water, salt, sugar and butter.
- Add flour and stir constantly until dough comes off the sides of the pan.
- Pour the hot mixture in a mixing machine and beat the mixture on low speed until it is cooled down to about room temperature.
- Gradually add beaten eggs until fully incorporated into the dough.
- Transfer the dough in a pastry bag, make a circle template on a silicone mat/parchment paper and then pipe the mixture into a circle.
- Place the craquelin pieces on top & sprinkle with Pistachio kernels or any other nut of your choice.
- Bake at 180°C for about 10 mins, then reduce temperature to 140°C and bake for an additional 15-20 mins until the choux ring is puffed and golden brown.
- Let it cool.
~ Time To Assemble ~
- Once the choux is cooled down, gently slice the Paris-Brest choux ring.
- Using a pastry bag, pipe the mousseline crème on the bottom half of the choux ring. Place the top half back on top, over the piped filling.
- Garnish with pistachio kernels or your choice of fruits or nuts & finish with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Et Voilà, a bicycle wheel inspired dessert that will surely transport you to Andapa (if not Paris to Brest) ~ the blessed land that is home to the best bourbon vanilla in the world.
