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Sunday, August 31, 2008

Eggie Does It, Monsieur Hermé!

Well what a delight to have such a sweet gal hosting this month.. a long-time fellow blogger and someone I like to call my friend, Meeta of What's for Lunch Honey? and her equally delightful co-host, Tony of Olive Juice brought to us Daring Baker type people a recipe from the sugar daddy of all sugar daddies, Pierre Hermé!

Meeta and Tony chose Chocolate Éclairs by Pierre Hermé from the book Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé, written by one of my all-time favorite bakers, Dorie Greenspan. To say that the crowd was excited upon hearing what our challenge for August was, is definitely an understatement.

08-23-08

This was a fun month to watch comments on the Daring Baker forums. Many of us had problems with our éclairs deflating and there was much excellent advice on how to prevent that from happening.. advice, I happily admit, that steered me in the right direction as my éclair shells puffed beautifully with only 4 deflated shells out of 28. I went the mini route this time since I prefer éclairs small.. they are just one of those desserts that are too much for me if given a large one. I KNOW! Can you believe there is a dessert out there that's just too much for me? :P

We had the choice of making them as they were originally intended.. chocolate pastry cream filled with a chocolate glaze on top.. or we could switch one of those components to something else, as long as we kept the other. Another shocker for me, I decided to stick with the chocolate glaze and go with a lemon pastry cream for the filling. A little zest and a little lemon juice in place of the vanilla did me just fine and before I knew it, I had one of the best pastry creams I've ever tasted! ;)

08-23-08 (1)

I made 1/2 the way we were required.. by slicing each shell in half, filling one side with the pastry cream and topping with the other half of the shell then glazing with the chocolate goodness. The rest I decided to just fill by puncturing an end with a pastry tip and loading them up with luscious lemony pastry cream. I also decided that at the end, with just a few left and some fantastic toffee sauce in my freezer waiting to be used.. that I'd glaze those with the toffee sauce and then drizzle a little milk chocolate over. DELISH!

The only complaint I had with this recipe was that the shells were very eggy. I took the advice of many and beat the living shite out of my choux after each egg addition (5 - FIVE - eggs) and I allowed my shells to bake a little longer than what was called for, then opened the oven door and pulled the shelf out half way so that they still had some warmth to dry properly. So the only thing I can say here is that I don't really believe that many of us had eggy éclairs due to not beating long enough or baking long enough.. I just think that there were maybe 1 to 2 eggs not needed. But, who the hell am I to disagree with the pastry king of France? Now, of course, I'd KILL - yes! KILL! to try one of his éclairs.. my guess is that you'd never know there was an egg in the recipe. :)

08-23-08 (2)

Would I make this recipe again? No. I have another éclair recipe that I made last summer and it was not eggy at all.. they all deflated of course, but that was before I knew to bake them a tad longer and not to take them away from the heat completely until they've had time to dry. At least this is what I'm contributing my success to puffy shells this time. Would I make ANY éclair again? Probably, but not very often.. yes, I'm a dork and I actually prefer the donut type - you know, the kind that are called "cream sticks" *gasp* Was that blasphemy??? Sorry Monsieur Hermé! ;)

Nevertheless, I learned some great lessons this month on how to keep my choux nice and puffy and how to make a delicious pastry cream that I WILL use over and over again. ;)

08-23-08 (3)

Thanks so much Meeta and Tony!!! You have both done a stellar job this month and we appreciate it so very muchly! :) Ya'll can find the recipe on both Meeta's and Tony's blogs.

xoxo

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Comments on "Eggie Does It, Monsieur Hermé!"

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8/31/2008 12:12 AM) : 

Beauteous!!!!!!!
kkhh

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8/31/2008 12:55 AM) : 

Just lookie at those little lovelies!

 

Blogger Mary Ann said ... (8/31/2008 1:02 AM) : 

They look lovely!

 

Blogger Cristine said ... (8/31/2008 1:35 AM) : 

Lemon pastry cream??? I must try that ASAP! Lovely eclairs!

 

Blogger Kristen said ... (8/31/2008 2:04 AM) : 

Yummy !!!!

 

Blogger jenniferhoiyin said ... (8/31/2008 2:27 AM) : 

They look fabulous, and I'd like to get that other eclair recipe from you, I didn't like the eggy-ness of them either.

The lemon pastry filling sounds delish! :)

Bravo!

 

Blogger Marie Rayner said ... (8/31/2008 3:30 AM) : 

Ohh, your little puffs look fabulous! I loved this recipe. Probably because it was the first choux paste recipe to ever work for me, but what the heck, I have to go with what works!

 

Blogger BC said ... (8/31/2008 4:48 AM) : 

Yep, too many eggs for the pastry but the chocolate... Oh la la!

 

Blogger Dewi said ... (8/31/2008 5:36 AM) : 

Good looking eclaires, I also piped in the filling instead of cutting the eclaires in half. It was much easier and no mess!
Cheers.

 

Blogger SteamyKitchen said ... (8/31/2008 7:49 AM) : 

the house next door to me is for sale. you live there and feed me pastries. i'll feed you all the Asian food you want!

 

Blogger Chibog in Chief said ... (8/31/2008 8:47 AM) : 

what can i say but these eclairs are exquisite!! yum

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8/31/2008 8:48 AM) : 

Gorgeous eclairs! I found the dough a little eggs but I just added a little more chocolate to the top, and they were fine! :)

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8/31/2008 8:49 AM) : 

Nice work - I think these eclairs are one of your most beautiful posts! And toffee sauce = yum!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8/31/2008 9:16 AM) : 

Mmm... lemon pastry cream. Yum!

 

Blogger Helene said ... (8/31/2008 10:13 AM) : 

I want to bathe in that toffe sauce :)
Yum....and look at all that pastry cream oozing out :)
Fabulous job...beautimus if I may borrow your expression!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8/31/2008 11:14 AM) : 

gorgeous, Lis! That last picture has me drooling for some eclairs, but that´s not gonna happen anytime soon, enough dish-washing fun for me for a while.
And my first batch of puffs did deflate a bit, but I blame that on a not-hot-enough oven and not taking the time to read the DB forum. For instance, I had no idea about the fork thing on top to make them rise better... live and learn, my friend :)
Oh and your nice says hi... well, not technically, but she wagged her tail while looking at your eclair pics, so I take that as a "hi, auntie Lisa, would you care to give me some chocolate covered goodness?"

 

Blogger Patti said ... (8/31/2008 11:37 AM) : 

they look gorgeous...

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8/31/2008 11:42 AM) : 

Beautiful eclairs, Lisa! The different glazes look so good... I wish I had thought of doing a something like that!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8/31/2008 11:48 AM) : 

Those are some nice looking eclairs, Lis. And they're not posers like mine! I beat the hell outta mine, too, and yep they sat in the oven to cool after I left them, and left them, and left them...but it's my fault for not listening to the trial and error tales in the forum. That's what I get. Okay, so send me over some of those beauties. You saved one, right?

 

Blogger Beth said ... (8/31/2008 11:54 AM) : 

"Beat the living shite out of"...

Haha!

 

Blogger Heather B said ... (8/31/2008 12:17 PM) : 

yum! They look delicious and so pretty! Great job!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8/31/2008 12:44 PM) : 

Your eclairs do look pretty, eggy and all. I dont think the egg bothered me too much but I am going to try another recipe for the pasty next time.

 

Blogger Alpineberry Mary said ... (8/31/2008 12:53 PM) : 

Yum, I love lemon in almost anything so I'm sure I would love your eclairs!

 

Blogger Rachel said ... (8/31/2008 12:54 PM) : 

The last pic is way too tempting!!!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8/31/2008 1:44 PM) : 

Lis, they look fantastic! Good job!

 

Blogger Judy@nofearentertaining said ... (8/31/2008 2:02 PM) : 

How beautiful! I too found them to be a bit eggy. Oh well...lessons learned!

 

Blogger Laurie said ... (8/31/2008 2:11 PM) : 

Oh yum!! And the chocoltae looks finger lickin good!

 

Blogger Valerie Harrison (bellini) said ... (8/31/2008 2:19 PM) : 

Lemon pastry cream is an inspired flavour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Blogger MyKitchenInHalfCups said ... (8/31/2008 2:54 PM) : 

Lemon was beautiful! Love that drizzle!! Nice that we're still learning!

 

Blogger Elle said ... (8/31/2008 3:00 PM) : 

Lemon and chocolate alwasy are a great combo. Your eclairs are just lovely! Hail Pierre!

 

Blogger Chris said ... (8/31/2008 3:54 PM) : 

mmmmm - yummy! Looks fab. I love the textured looking tops!

 

Blogger Karen Baking Soda said ... (8/31/2008 4:23 PM) : 

Agreeeee! I used 4 medium eggs and unless our Dutch eggs are extremely powerful, I think that was enough. (I always listen to Hélène hehe).

 

Blogger Gabi said ... (8/31/2008 5:15 PM) : 

Beautiful eclairs Lis!
xo

 

Blogger Amy J. said ... (8/31/2008 7:04 PM) : 

Yumma-yum! Those look great, Liz! Lemon sounds like a good filling.... :)~

 

Blogger glamah16 said ... (8/31/2008 7:47 PM) : 

YUMM. Lemon Pastry cream! I like that toffee topping as well.. Great work.

 

Blogger Mary said ... (8/31/2008 8:24 PM) : 

Yours look so yummy!

 

Blogger Katie B. said ... (8/31/2008 10:52 PM) : 

Yum yum yum!!! Your chocolate/lemon combo sounds dreamy!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8/31/2008 11:28 PM) : 

Love the ridged tops on your puffs. Looks so delicious.

 

Blogger Lunch Buckets said ... (9/01/2008 12:48 AM) : 

3 cheers for the doughnut lovers!

 

Blogger Annemarie said ... (9/01/2008 3:52 AM) : 

See, you are obviously a founding member of the DBers, knowing that it takes a community to bake a cake (or pastry). I didn't have time to read all the forum posts so went on to have eggy, flat pastries. Quelle Surprise. Love the flavors you've added to yours.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9/01/2008 5:09 AM) : 

Looks delicious, love the toffee sauce!
And the lemon pastry cream must have been so much better than the chocolate....at least imo.

 

Blogger Meeta K. Wolff said ... (9/01/2008 5:24 AM) : 

toffe sauce! i knew you would come up with something that would have me drooling and since i have not had lunch my tummy has never grumbled with me so much as it is now. it was a fun challenge and you know i was nervous about how this would come down. i literally breathed a sigh of relief and all the cheers in the forum! thannx to you and my cream puff for making me join the group. better go before i get all sentimental and make these eclairs soggy!

 

Blogger Clumbsy Cookie said ... (9/01/2008 6:49 AM) : 

I love the toffee glazed one! They're beautiful!

 

Blogger Jenny said ... (9/01/2008 7:44 AM) : 

Did you say Toffee? Oh my.
Lovely, those are lovely. Add in toffee and I could would join you in that kill for line up.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9/01/2008 9:01 AM) : 

Yikes! So many gorgeous eclairs to drool over!

 

Blogger Lesley said ... (9/01/2008 9:54 AM) : 

Nice job. Next time I think I'm going to pipe directly in the eclair rather than cutting them open. I hated that, it was so messy!!!

 

Blogger Belinda said ... (9/01/2008 12:49 PM) : 

Ya know, Lisa...eggy always puts me off (what with my raw egg aversion and all), but never the less, your eclairs sure look beautiful. Go Daring Bakers...long may you rule the baking world! :-)

 

Blogger jasmine said ... (9/01/2008 3:23 PM) : 

Love the picture of the partially eaten one--all nummy nummy nummy.

j

 

Blogger Lori said ... (9/01/2008 5:56 PM) : 

These are gorgeous. I am impressed! IO lovet he lines, like seashells, so pretty and a nice touch.

 

Blogger Camille said ... (9/01/2008 6:34 PM) : 

I love the toffee topping...great idea! They look yummy.

 

Blogger Andrea Meyers said ... (9/01/2008 9:17 PM) : 

Lovely my dear! That lemon cream sounds to die for!

 

Blogger The Baker & The Curry Maker said ... (9/01/2008 10:24 PM) : 

Ooo yeaaaah, I know the cream sticks you're talking about. Mm. Your eclairs look delicious tho, well done

 

Blogger Aparna Balasubramanian said ... (9/01/2008 10:40 PM) : 

These eclairs look lovely. Mine had 1 egg less and were still "eggy".
So I came up with an eggless pastry cream.:)

 

Blogger Dharm said ... (9/02/2008 7:36 AM) : 

Lovely! I want some of those NOW!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9/02/2008 8:54 AM) : 

Don't these look lovely, sis! I agree, i wouldn't be using this recipe as my goto pate a choux because I did have some trouble with it.

 

Blogger Half Baked said ... (9/02/2008 9:38 AM) : 

Your eclairs look fabulous! Love the lemon filling yummm

 

Blogger Ruth said ... (9/02/2008 3:10 PM) : 

Stunning just stunning. So fantastic looking and I am sure they tasted delightful

 

Blogger Anita said ... (9/02/2008 4:39 PM) : 

So pretty, Lis! It sounds like you fell in love with the eclairs, just like every other DB!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9/02/2008 6:23 PM) : 

They're lovely, Lis. I really like the look of the toffee-glazed ones.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9/02/2008 7:47 PM) : 

i agree re: eggy-ness. i think some people tried it with one less egg and did better. i think next time if i make these again, i'll try one less egg.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9/02/2008 9:05 PM) : 

LOve them! Yum!

 

Blogger Lisa said ... (9/02/2008 10:10 PM) : 

Lis, are you sure you're not really Pierre Hermes, Jacques Torres, or Francois Payard, incognito?

Your eclairs look like they belong in a patisserie window! That toffee sauce is KILLING ME! (in a good way, of course) ;D

 

Blogger Lauren said ... (9/02/2008 10:47 PM) : 

Ooo, your eclairs look amazing! And the lemon filling sounds wonderful!

 

Blogger enza said ... (9/03/2008 2:14 AM) : 

I saw many of us have used a vanilla pastry cream or some filler without choc.
maybe all this choc it would be ecessive.
thanks for creating DB and geat job as usual!

 

Blogger Peabody said ... (9/03/2008 3:30 AM) : 

Well, since I didn't make them(but have made them before with another recipe) in a way I am glad to know these are eggy and you wont be making them again.
But those did turn out excellent. These are one of the few desserts I like small as well.
P.S. How is that wedding planning coming?

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9/03/2008 12:35 PM) : 

Lemon pastry cream?? Toffee sauce?? I may have to try baking eclairs again..but I agree, they were eggy...I didn't know how to describe that funny textury thingy, but, Voila! your "French" description is perfect, hahaha!! Maybe you could post YOUR Choux Paste recipe..please..pretty please??

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9/05/2008 4:30 AM) : 

Lovely Eclairs.

 

Blogger Laura said ... (9/05/2008 9:23 AM) : 

Wow - amazing. I've been thinking of taking on the challenge, but haven't worked up the courage yet. I'm pretty new to blogging and just love your blog (you are very funny!)and so I gave you an award. (you can go to my blog to get it).

 

Blogger Snooky doodle said ... (9/05/2008 3:52 PM) : 

hmmm eclairs yummy

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9/06/2008 3:09 PM) : 

Thanks for the link to the choux recipe......I nominated you for a blog award..check out my blog to read about it!

 

Blogger creampuff said ... (9/07/2008 11:51 AM) : 

Mmmm ... lemon pastry cream. Sounds so good. I wasn't totally thrilled with these but they weren't bad either. I mean if you had some waiting for me when I get in for your wedding it's not like I wouldn't eat them or anything.

Just saying is all.

 

Blogger The Blonde Duck said ... (9/08/2008 2:14 PM) : 

Those look wonderful!

 

Blogger Anamika:The Sugarcrafter said ... (9/11/2008 1:53 AM) : 

nice post and nice blog to read on and on.

 

Blogger Scumbag Sam said ... (10/03/2008 4:18 PM) : 

it should be illegal to put such yummy looking foody pictures up here! Its like cake porn... Me want.. ME WANT!!! :D

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10/03/2008 10:08 PM) : 

Good blog. I would say it's perfect!

 

Blogger kjij said ... (10/04/2008 8:14 AM) : 

complemente...mi piaci..

 

Blogger TBones said ... (10/04/2008 7:32 PM) : 

WOW, awesome blog!
my blog, tanyabones.blogspot.com
also features recipes but much simpler ones than yours... basically i feature the dinner i am making! check it out, i'd love your feedback :)

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10/05/2008 10:08 PM) : 

Oh, those look delicious!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10/06/2008 2:57 AM) : 

oh my god, those look absolutely delicious !!!

 

Blogger Snotty McSnotterson said ... (10/06/2008 2:39 PM) : 

Your blog is really beautiful.

 

Blogger Masood said ... (10/07/2008 4:29 AM) : 

Yum! Congrats on being on Blogs of Note.

Great work!

Cheers,
M
http://logicalobscurity.blogspot.com

 

Blogger Esteban said ... (10/14/2008 2:41 AM) : 

Great, now I regret not having tried those, I only read about their macarons!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10/16/2008 2:11 PM) : 

they look so delicious! love eclair specially when the fillings are creamy and melted!

 

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