Back to Basics

AFTER a very long absence, it's finally time for me to post again! Behold, choux pastry!

Here's some hard facts:
3 batches
2 trays
3 rows each
7 columns
= 126 puffs
(which feeds 10 people watching Monty Python and all the random passers-by)



The full recipe is here, but here's some tips to make them better:

I used (each batch):
4 eggs (lightly beaten)
1/2 cup salted butter (ie, one helpful stick)
4 ounces self-rising flour
1 egg with 1 tsp water for egg wash (optional, I find the mixture is enough to give it a really brown crust)
8 ounces water

Fillings:
Durian/B&J Creme Brulee and Vanilla ice-cream

Instructions:
1. mise en place. measure out everything. prepare two baking trays lined with parchment and lightly grease them. preheat oven at 420F
2. water in saucepan, add butter in chunks. put on high until all the butter melts (and you should observe boiling)
3. immediately turn down to medium, stir in all the flour rapidly using a wooden spoon. stir the mixture until the flour comes away from the edges and forms a dough. should be around 30s-1min
4. let it cool 1minute, or until you can touch it w/o burning yourself
5. using a whisk, mix in the beaten eggs slowly into the mixture.
6. eventually, you will be getting soft peaks and a cream-like texture.
7. using two spoons or a piping bag, make little lumps of cream. make sure the surface is relatively smooth! place them on the baking trays. my lumps were around 3-4cm diameter.
8. once you are done, place them all into the oven.
9. DO NOT open the oven until 10mins later. then, quickly shift around the trays and continue backing for a total of 25 minutes.
10. puffs should be brown. turn off the oven, and leave the door open. wait 5-10minutes for it to cool down
11. take it out, and let it cool further, poking holes in the shell using a toothpick or fork.
12. slice horizontally, and put ice-cream/filling to serve immediately. if you want to consume it later, freeze it- w/o filling (but since it was ice-cream, just prefill it). this maintains the crispness of the puff.
13. invite friends over :)