Saucy Swans Recipes

GOURMET CREAM PUFF SWANS RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat water, butter, sugar, and salt in a saucepan on low until butter has melted.
• Turn the heat to high, and allow the mixture to reach a rolling boil.
• Add the flour and stir with a stiff spatula until the mixture has the consistency of mashed potatoes.
• Turn the heat down to medium for one minute. Take off heat and set this panade aside to cool to room temperature.
• Crack the eggs into a bowl and stir with a fork.
• Transfer the room temperature panade to a kitchen stand mixer bowl.
• Using the paddle attachment, add the eggs in three parts at medium speed.
• Fill piping bags with the cream mixture. Pipe into 16 2-inch tear-drops (swan bodies) and 16 S-shaped squiggles (swan heads and necks).
• Preheat oven to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Bake the swan bodies for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Bake the swan heads and necks for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Using a serrated knife or kitchen shears, slice off the top quarter of each swan body, and then slice each quarter into vertical halves.
• Fill the body with whipped cream.
• Add the vertically sliced halves to the sides as wings.
• Top with the head and neck piece.
• Serve immediately. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

VALENTINE SWANS

Steps:

• Meringue: In a small bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, vanilla and salt, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved, about 8 minutes. Drop eight 1/4 cupfuls onto an ungreased parchment lined baking sheet. Shape each into a 4-in. long teardrop shell., Spoon remaining meringue into a pastry bag and cut a hole in the corner of bag. For swan necks, pipe eight 3-in. long question-mark shapes onto a second parchment-lined baking sheet. Insert a slivered almond in each for a beak., Bake teardrop shells at 225° for 30 minutes, then place meringue necks in oven and bake both the shells and necks 1 hour longer. Turn oven off. Let stand in oven for 1 hour. Remove to wire racks to cool., Mousse: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a small bowl. Beat in confectioners' sugar and cocoa until fluffy., Drain cherries, reserving juice. Chop cherries and gently fold into mousse. Refrigerate until assembling., Sauce: Combine the cornstarch, water, food coloring and reserved cherry juice in a saucepan until smooth. Bring to a boil, then cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool., Topping: In a bowl, beat whipping cream and confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form. Spoon 1/3 cup into a pastry bag. Cut a small hole in the corner of bag and set aside. , Assembly: Spoon 1/4 cup chocolate mousse into each meringue shell. Referring to photo above for shape, carefully spread remaining topping over mousse and shell to form swan body. Insert sliced almonds for wings. Insert meringue neck., Place each swan on an individual serving plate. Spoon cherry sauce around swans. Pipe hearts in the sauce around swans with reserved topping.

SAUCY PRAWNS

Steps:

• Heat the garlic, lemon juice, ketchup and stock together in a frying pan. Simmer until syrupy and thickened.
• Add the prawns and some seasoning, then heat through. Serve with broccoli, steamed rice and lemon wedges.