Penulis Mille-feuille with strawberry is a classic French pastry made of layers of puff pastry filled with pastry cream and fresh strawberries. The name "mille-feuille" means "a thousand layers," referring to the flaky texture of the pastry.
It's often topped with icing or powdered sugar for added sweetness. The combination of the crisp pastry, creamy filling, and juicy strawberries creates a delightful contrast in flavors and textures.
To make a strawberry mille-feuille, start by baking the puff pastry until golden and crisp, then let it cool. For the filling, you can prepare a vanilla pastry cream by cooking milk, sugar, eggs, and cornstarch until thickened.
Once cool, fold in whipped cream for added lightness. Assemble the dessert by layering the pastry sheets, pastry cream, and fresh sliced strawberries. You can repeat the layers and finish with a final pastry sheet on top.
For decoration, drizzle with a glaze made from icing sugar and water or dust with powdered sugar. Chill before serving to let the flavors meld, and then slice into portions to enjoy this elegant and delicious treat!
When serving the strawberry mille-feuille, consider garnishing with a few whole strawberries or mint leaves for added freshness and visual appeal. You can also drizzle a balsamic reduction over the plate for a sophisticated touch that complements the sweetness of the strawberries.
For variations, you might experiment with different fillings, such as flavored whipped cream or different fruits like raspberries or peaches. Alternatively, try adding a layer of chocolate ganache for a richer flavor.
Mille-feuille can be enjoyed on special occasions or as a delightful everyday dessert, showcasing both your culinary skills and the beauty of fresh ingredients. Its layers symbolize the effort and care that go into creating such a delightful treat.
Here’s a simple recipe for making strawberry mille-feuille:
Ingredients:
For the Puff Pastry
- 1 package of puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
For the Pastry Cream
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream (whipped)
For the Strawberries
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons sugar (for macerating)
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons water or lemon juice
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Puff Pastry:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick.
- Cut into rectangles (about 3x6 inches). Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Prick the pastry with a fork to prevent it from puffing too much.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely.
2. Make the Pastry Cream:
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it just starts to simmer.
- In a bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 2-3 minutes).
- Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and let cool. Once cooled, fold in the whipped cream.
3. Prepare the Strawberries:
- If desired, toss the sliced strawberries with sugar and let them sit for about 15 minutes to release their juices.
4. Assemble the Mille-Feuille:
- Place one layer of puff pastry on a serving plate. Spread a layer of pastry cream over it, followed by a layer of sliced strawberries.
- Repeat layers, finishing with a puff pastry layer on top.
5. Make the Glaze:
- In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar with water or lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over the top layer of pastry.
6. Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to let the layers set. Slice carefully and enjoy!
Feel free to customize the recipe to your taste, and enjoy your homemade strawberry mille-feuille!
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