Pear And Berry Napoleon Recipes

PEAR PECAN NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Pears: Place the pears, sugar, lemon juice, salt, and cinnamon in a large saute pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the pears are soft and most of the liquid has evaporated, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool.
• Pecan Paste: In a food processor, finely grind the pecans and granulated sugar. Place the pecan mixture in a small bowl and add the water, orange zest, and salt. Mix just until combined.
• Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured work surface, roll the piece of puff pastry into a 16-inch square. Cut into 4 rectangles, each 4 inches wide by 16 inches long. With a fork, pierce small holes all over the pastry. Place the rectangles on two baking sheets. Freeze or refrigerate until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Place a second baking sheet or an inverted wire mesh rack on top of the puff pastry to prevent it from rising as it bakes. Bake until golden brown, 10-15 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
• Assembly: Spread 1/3 of the pecan paste on one of the rectangles of puff pastry. Carefully layer 1/3 of the pears over the pecan paste. Layer two more pieces of pastry with the remaining pecan paste and pears in the same manner. Using a wide metal spatula, carefully stack these three pieces of pastry.
• In a small bowl mix together the sugar and the cinnamon. Dust the fourth piece of puff pastry with the cinnamon sugar and place it on top of the stacked layers of pastry.Using a serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion, trim the edges of the napoleon so that they are even. In the same manner, cut the napoleon into 8 pieces and serve a portion on each of 8 plates.

SAVORY CHOCOLATE NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Use an offset spatula to spread a 1/8-inch-thick layer of tempered chocolate over a sheet of acetate. When the chocolate begins to set but is not yet hard, use a sharp paring knife or rolling cutter to cut 1-inch squares. When the chocolate is set, peel off the acetate and break apart the chocolate squares.
• Place the softened cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle. Add the chives, paprika, salt and pepper and turn the mixer on medium speed. Mix just until combined.
• Place the cream cheese mixture in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe a dollop of the cream cheese onto a chocolate square. Top with a square of chocolate. Pipe another dollop of cream cheese and cover with another square of chocolate. Viola!

ROASTED PEACH NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Make the pastry cream: Whisk 1/2 cup milk, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, the salt, egg yolks and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Combine the remaining 1 1/2 cups milk and 1/3 cup granulated sugar with the vanilla seeds and pod in a medium saucepan; bring to a low simmer over medium heat. Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the bowl with the yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return to the pan and bring to a simmer, whisking; cook, whisking, until thickened, 1 more minute. Transfer to a bowl and remove the vanilla pod. Lay plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour, 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, roast the peaches: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Combine the peaches, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla seeds and pod in a medium bowl; toss gently to coat. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and spread in a single layer. Roast, tossing once, until tender and glossy, about 30 minutes. Let cool.
• Cook the puff pastry: Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Unroll the puff pastry sheets on a generously floured surface and arrange them so they overlap by about 2 inches to make 1 large piece of pastry. Lightly flour a rolling pin and roll out the dough into a 17-by-12-inch rectangle. Carefully transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet and prick all over with a fork. Bake, pricking it again halfway through, until golden and crisp, 25 to 35 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cutting board and cut crosswise into 3 equal pieces.
• Assemble the napoleon: Lay 1 piece of puff pastry on a platter. Spread with half of the pastry cream, then top with half of the roasted peaches. Repeat with another piece of puff pastry and the remaining pastry cream and peaches, reserving a few peach slices for topping. Top with the remaining piece of puff pastry and dust with confectioners' sugar. Top with the reserved peaches. Slice with a serrated knife.

CHOCOLATE-BERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Roll out 1 puff pastry sheet into a 10-inch square; cut into 2 1/2-by-5-inch rectangles (8 total). Sandwich between 2 unlined rimmed baking sheets and bake at 400 degrees F until golden, 30 minutes. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Cool. Cook 1/3 cup milk, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a small skillet over medium heat, whisking, until thick. Stir in 2 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate; cool. Fold in 1 1/2 cups whipped cream. To assemble, layer 2 pastry rectangles with the chocolate cream and raspberries. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Make puff pastry strips: Lightly flour a clean work surface. Using a rolling pin, gently roll out dough into a 16-by-18-inch rectangle about 1/8 inch thick, being careful not to press too hard around the edges. Using a pastry wheel or sharp knife, cut rectangle crosswise into thirds, with each strip 6 by 16 inches. Transfer to a baking sheet; dock, or pierce, the dough all over with a fork. Cover with plastic wrap; place in refrigerator 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Transfer to oven; bake until strips are puffed and golden all over, about 14 minutes. Set a baking sheet directly on pastry strips, and continue baking until pastry is cooked through and well browned, about 6 minutes. Remove top baking sheet; bake 4 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Using a serrated knife, trim each to 4 1/4 by 12 inches.
• Make the glaze: In a small saucepan, bring heavy cream just to a boil. Place dark chocolate in a bowl, and pour hot cream over chocolate; whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is combined. Whisk in corn syrup. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
• Place white chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk until chocolate is melted, and remove from heat. Let cool.
• Using an offset spatula, spread dark chocolate glaze over one side of the flattest puff pastry strip, making sure to coat entire surface. Place white chocolate in a piping cone; pipe thin lines 3/4 inch apart across width of chocolate-coated strip. To create the distinctive flourish, gently drag the tip of a paring knife or a skewer lengthwise through both coatings, in lines perpendicular to the white chocolate lines. Begin at one of the short ends, and make each line 3/4 inch apart. Alternate the direction each time.
• Place one of the unglazed puff pastry strips on a serving tray. Spread half the pastry cream over the top, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Top with remaining unglazed pastry strip; press down gently, and repeat with remaining pastry cream. Top with glazed pastry strip. Transfer to refrigerator, and chill 30 minutes uncovered. Using a long serrated knife, cut into six pieces, and serve.

BERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out pastry on lightly floured surface to 12-inch square. Cut out two 4x5-inch rectangles and transfer to ungreased cookie sheet (reserve remaining pastry for another use). Brush pastries with glaze. Mix sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cardamom and sprinkle over pastries. Bake until puffed and brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool.
• Drain syrup from raspberries into heavy small saucepan. Boil until thickened slightly, about 4 minutes. Combine raspberries and sliced strawberries in small bowl. Add reduced syrup and remaining 1/4 teaspoon cardamom. (Berry mixture can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Split each pastry into 2 layers. Place bottoms on plates. Layer with frozen yogurt, some of berry mixture, then pastry tops. Spoon a few berries atop each pastry and serve.

BERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Place the raspberries, wine and raspberry liqueur in a blender; cover and process until pureed. Strain raspberry mixture, reserving juice; discard seeds. Set aside., Layer two sheets of phyllo dough on a baking sheet; brush with butter. Keep remaining phyllo covered with plastic wrap and a damp towel to prevent it from drying out. Repeat layers four times. Cut stack in half lengthwise, then cut widthwise, forming 12 rectangles. Repeat with remaining dough on three additional baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on pans on wire racks., In a large bowl, combine the berries, orange liqueur and 2 tablespoons reserved raspberry juice; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form., Drizzle 1 tablespoon remaining raspberry sauce over each serving plate. Place one phyllo rectangle over sauce; layer each with 1/4 cup berries and 2 tablespoons whipped cream. Top with remaining phyllo.

BERRY NAPOLEON WITH LEMON CURD

Steps:

• FOR THE PASTRY: Make a well in the flour. Add the cornstarch. Cut the butter in 1 1/2 Tablespoon chunks. Add the salt. Mash the butter into the flour with your fingers until the particles of butter are the size of whole macadamia nuts.
• Mix in the ice water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, introducing it with your fingertips. Press the small balls of dough that will form into a large one. With the heel of your hand, lightly push the ball of dough forward into large pieces and then gather it into a ball. Shape into a rectangle 6 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches. Refrigerate for 1 hour, preferably in the vegetable crisper.
• Roll the dough 6 inches away from you and then 6 inches toward you, keeping it 6 1/2 inches wide and never less that 1/3 inch thick. Do not bear down on the dough. Roll it out parallel to the countertop in 1 or 2 strokes. If the dough becomes wider than 6 1/2 inches, block it on each side by place the rolling pin parallel to the edge of the dough and tapping it gently toward the dough. The dough edge will straighten. Fold the dough in 3 folds. Turn the dough 90 degrees so it looks like a book ready to be opened.
• With a bit of pressure applied with the rolling pin at the top and bottom seams, pinch the layers of dough slightly to prevent the butter from escaping later. Roll out the dough again and fold it a second time, exactly as described above.
• You will have given it two turns. If the package of dough is less than 6 inches wide, tap it gently with the rolling pin to flatten it. To keep track of the turns, punch small depressions on the surface of the dough with your fingertips.
• Put the dough on a lightly floured plate. Cover it loosely with a sheet of Saran Wrap (plastic wrap) and put it to cool in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator. The dough should rest for at least 1 hour.
• Finish the dough by giving it two more series of two turns, exactly as described above. Rest the dough for 30 minutes between each series of turns. After turns 3 and 4, punch 4 small depressions on the surface of the dough; after turns 5 and 6, trace an X. That will remind you that the pastry is finished and may be used anytime.
• Roll out after chilling deeply for 1 to 2 hours and cut in the shape that you desire.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cut the puff pastry in half. Roll each half into 2 sheets, each 1/8 inch thick and as wide and long as you can make it. Bake between 2 black baking sheets for 15 minutes until brown.
• Cool and cut into rectangles 1 inch by 3 inches.
• TO PREPARE THE LEMON CURD: Beat the egg yolks with the sugar in an electric mixer until extremely thick. The mixture should form a heavy ribbon. Transfer to a large saucepan. Gradually add the lemon juice as you beat over VERY LOW HEAT, until the curd thickens heavily. Add all the rinds and gradually the melted butter, and cool completely.
• TO BUILD THE NAPOLEONS: Put the lemon curd into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/3 inch wide, round plain nozzle. Cover 1 rectangle of pastry with an even layer of curd. Top that layer with a second rectangle of pastry. Cover that second rectangle with curd and top with a third rectangle of pastry. Powder each napoleon with confectioner's sugar.
• Thaw the raspberries. Remove half of their syrup. Blend to a puree in the blender and strain to discard all seeds. To serve, put one napoleon on a desert plate and surround with raspberry puree. This recipe will make 8 to 10 beautiful napoleons.
• VARIATION: Fresh Berry Napoleons: Instead of using just lemon curd, try the following idea. Pipe the lemon curd between the layers, as in the recipe, but add strawberries on the first layer, blueberries on the second, and raspberries on the third. Do not serve with the raspberry sauce; the berries will make their own sauce as you eat the napoleons.
• Madeleine Cooks.
• If you cannot find Meyer lemons, you can substitute Eureka or Lisbon lemons.
• Meyer lemon is a hybrid, a cross between a regular lemon and either an orange or a mandarin. They're sometimes smaller than a regular lemon, rounder in shape, with a thin, soft, and smooth rind which ranges from greenish when slightly immature to a rich yellow-orange when fully ripe. The rind lacks the typical lemon peel oil aroma and the pulp is darker yellow and less acidic than a regular lemon. The complex flavor and aroma hints of sweet lime, lemon and mandarin.
• Use it for most purposes as you would a regular lemon. It's perfect for a soufflé or lemon tart and, because it's sweeter than a regular lemon, makes good lemonade requiring less sugar. On the other hand, when you want a more acidic lemon taste, as in a vinaigrette or marinade, you're probably better off using a regular lemon.

PEAR, BLUE CHEESE, AND FIG NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Cut each pear lengthwise into 10 (1/8- to 1/4-inch-thick) slices (5 from one side, then 5 more from the opposite side), avoiding core and discarding rounded outermost slices.
• Layer 4 pear slices with cheese and fig on each of 4 plates, beginning with largest pear slices, and ending with smallest.
• Sprinkle any remaining cheese and fig around napoleons.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Combine pudding mix and cold milk; fold in whipped topping. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Unfold pastry on a cool, lightly floured surface. Cut into 3 strips along fold marks, then cut each strip into four equal pieces. Place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheet, and cool.
• Split pastries into 2 layers, setting the 8 best looking tops aside. Spread 8 bottom layers with dollops of the pudding mixture. Top each with a layer of strawberries, a small amount of pudding, and another pastry layer. (A small amount of the pudding mix on top of the berries will help keep the layers together.) Spread with remaining pudding mixture and strawberries, and top with remaining pastry layers (the best looking ones). Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.

STRAWBERRY-BLUEBERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place 1 phyllo sheet on work surface (cover remaining phyllo with plastic wrap, then damp kitchen towel). Brush phyllo sheet with some melted butter and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Top with second phyllo sheet. Brush with some melted butter and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Repeat with 2 more phyllo sheets, brushing each with melted butter and sprinkling each with 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Cut phyllo stack in half lengthwise; cut crosswise into thirds, creating six 4 1/4-inch squares. Transfer squares to 1 prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly apart. Repeat with 4 more phyllo sheets to create 6 more squares; transfer to second baking sheet, spacing evenly apart. Bake phyllo until light golden, about 7 minutes. Using spatula, transfer phyllo stacks to rack and cool completely. Repeat with remaining phyllo sheets, butter, and sugar to make 36 squares total. (Phyllo squares can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store between layers of waxed paper in airtight container at room temperature.)
• Bring vinegar and 4 teaspoons sugar to boil in small saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until syrupy and reduced to 1/4 cup, about 25 minutes. Refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate.)
• Beat mascarpone, cream, vanilla extract, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in large mixing bowl until stiff peaks form. (Mascarpone filling can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Set aside 1/4 of strawberries and blueberries for garnish. Place 12 phyllo squares on work surface. Spread each with 1 tablespoon mascarpone filling. Cover with remaining sliced strawberries. Spread 1 tablespoon filling over strawberries. Place another 12 phyllo squares atop filling with corners slightly askew to bottom square. Spread each square with 1 tablespoon filling. Cover with remaining blueberries. Spread 1 more tablespoon filling over blueberries. Top with final 12 phyllo squares with corners slightly askew to middle square. (Can be made 3 hours ahead. Place napoleons on 2 large baking sheets. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Spoon dollop of filling atop each napoleon. Garnish with reserved straw-berry slices and blueberries. Dust with powdered sugar. Place 1 napoleon in center of each plate. Drizzle balsamic reduction around edge of plates.
• *Italian cream cheese, available at Italian markets and many supermarkets.

WHITE CHOCOLATE AND SUMMER BERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Stir white chocolate in large bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Bring milk to simmer in heavy medium saucepan. Whisk milk barely simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove chocolate from heat. Bring milk to simmer in heavy medium saucepan. Whisk milk into chocolate. Let chocolate mixture cool until just beginning to thicken, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour.
• Using electric mixer, beat cream and vanilla in another large bowl until medium-firm peaks form. Fold whipped cream into chocolate mixture in 3 additions. Cover and refrigerate.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 17x11x1-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out 1 pastry sheet on lightly floured surface to 15x12-inch rectangle. Cut crosswise into three 12x5-inch rectangles. Repeat rolling and cutting with remaining pastry sheet to make six 12x5-inch pastry rectangles total. Transfer 2 pastry rectangles to prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly. Cover remaining pastry rectangles and chill.
• Pierce pastry rectangles on baking sheet all over with fork. Top with second piece of parchment. Place another 17x11x1-inch baking sheet atop parchment to weigh down pastry rectangles as they cook. Bake pastries until edges and bottoms are golden, about 10 minutes. Remove baking sheet and parchment paper from atop pastries. Turn pastries over. Continue baking uncovered until bottoms are golden, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer pastries to rack; cool. Repeat piercing and baking with remaining 4 pastry rectangles in 2 more batches. (White chocolate cream and pad pastry rectangles can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep cream refrigerated. Store pastry rectangles airtight at room temperature.)
• Place 1 pastry rectangle on work surface. Spread 1 1/2 cups of chocolate cream over pastry. Gently toss all berries in large bowl. Arrange of berries in single layer over chocolate cream. Place second pastry rectangle atop berries. Spread 1 cups of chocolate cream atop second pastry rectangle. Top with of berries. Top with third pastry rectangle. Repeat with remaining 3 pastry rectangles, chocolate cream and berries to form second napoleon. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Refrigerate.) Using serrated knife, cut each pastry crosswise into 10 equal pieces. Sprinkle powdered sugar over each and serve.