Fresh Plum Napoleon Recipes

CLASSIC FRENCH NAPOLEON RECIPE - (3.9/5)

Steps:

• PUFF PASTRY: Preheat oven to 425°F/220°C. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or plain brown paper; set aside. Unfold puff pastry sheet and trim edges to a 9-inch square. Cut pastry into nine 3-inch squares. Transfer pastry squares to the prepared baking sheets; prick pastry. Bake in a preheated oven for 18-23 minutes, or until golden. (Or bake according to package directions.) Carefully remove pastries from baking sheet. Cool on a rack. CREAM FILLING: In a heavy, medium saucepan stir together sugar, flour, and salt. Slowly stir in half-and-half or light cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Slowly stir about half of the hot mixture into beaten egg yolks. Return all to saucepan. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Transfer mixture to a bowl. Cover surface with plastic wrap and cool just until warm without stirring. In a small mixing bowl beat whipping cream until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into warm pastry cream. GLAZE: In a medium mixing bowl combine confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Stir in enough boiling water to make a glaze of spreading consistency; set aside. ASSEMBLY: Use the tines of a fork to separate each pastry square horizontally into 3 layers. Note: If Using Fruit Jam or Preserves: Spread about 1 teaspoon of the raspberry or strawberry jam or preserves on each bottom layer. Spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the pastry cream over raspberry preserves or if not using a layer of fruit jam or preserves, spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the pastry cream on the bottom layer and preceed as follows: Top with middle pastry layers. Spread another 1 1/2 tablespoons of the pastry cream on each middle layer. Finally, top with remaining pastry layers. Spread glaze over top of napoleons, then drizzle with melted chocolate. Chill up to 1 hour.

POTATO AND WILD MUSHROOM NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Brush 4 large baking sheets well with oil. Arrange the potato slices in one layer on the sheets. Brush with the remaining oil, and top with another baking sheet to prevent curling and bake until golden, 30 to 35 minutes, switching the sheets halfway through baking.
• Transfer with a spatula to cooling racks. Sprinkle with the Essence and salt, and set aside.
• In a large, heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until soft and most of the mushroom liquid is evaporated, about 8 minutes.
• Add the stock, cream, and thyme, and simmer until the liquid has reduced by 50 percent in volume, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the truffle oil. Place 2 potato slices on each of 4 serving plates. Spoon a generous tablespoon of mushroom filling on top, topped with a teaspoon of grated cheese. Continue layering the napoleon so that you have 3 layers of potatoes and 3 layers of mushrooms in all, ending with mushrooms on top. Garnish the top of each napoleon with a sprinkle of cheese and 3 slices of truffle, if desired. Arrange the chives around the outer edge of the plate and serve.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Brush 4 large baking sheets well with oil. Arrange the potato slices in one layer on the sheets. Brush with the remaining oil, and top with another baking sheet to prevent curling and bake until golden, 30 to 35 minutes, switching the sheets halfway through baking.
• Transfer with a spatula to cooling racks. Sprinkle with the Essence and salt, and set aside.
• In a large, heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until soft and most of the mushroom liquid is evaporated, about 8 minutes.
• Add the stock, cream, and thyme, and simmer until the liquid has reduced by 50 percent in volume, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the truffle oil. Place 2 potato slices on each of 4 serving plates. Spoon a generous tablespoon of mushroom filling on top, topped with a teaspoon of grated cheese. Continue layering the napoleon so that you have 3 layers of potatoes and 3 layers of mushrooms in all, ending with mushrooms on top. Garnish the top of each napoleon with a sprinkle of cheese and 3 slices of truffle, if desired. Arrange the chives around the outer edge of the plate and serve.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.