Asparagus and Parma Ham and Praline and Chocolate Vol-au-Vents

Show-stopping retro sweet and savoury puff pastry bites featuring homemade pesto, praline paste, creamy chocolate ganache, and seasonal vegetables.

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving Total
Calories 245.5 kcals 11785.4 kcals
Carbohydrates 17.7 grams 851.5 grams
Fat 17.5 grams 842.1 grams
Protein 4.1 grams 198.8 grams
Cook Time
130 mins
Produces
48 people
Allergies
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten Free

Ingredients

BakingIngredients
3
tbsp
100
g
Caster Sugar
For praline paste
20
g
Caster Sugar
For crème légère
0.5
tbsp
125
g
Plain Chocolate
50-60% cocoa, roughly chopped
100
g
Dark Chocolate
70% cocoa
Dairy
500
g
Unsalted Butter
Very cold, for pastry
1
piece
Egg
Large, free-range, for egg wash
50
g
1
piece
Egg Yolk
Large, free-range
10
g
Unsalted Butter
For crème légère
4
tbsp
Double Cream
For crème légère
125
ml
Double Cream
For ganache
125
g
Cream Cheese
Full-fat
Fruits
1
piece
Lemon
Juice only, for pesto
2
tbsp
Lemon Juice
For cheese mixture
GrainsCereals
600
g
Plain Flour
For the puff pastry
LegumesPulses
50
g
Broad Beans
Shelled
Liquids
300
ml
Water
Ice-cold
0.5
shot
Meat
2
slice
NutsSeeds
1
handful
1
tbsp
1
pinch
Sea Salt
Coarse
1
pinch
Black Pepper
Freshly ground
100
g
Hazelnuts
Blanched, for praline paste
25
g
Hazelnuts
Shelled, for decoration
OilsFats
Other
24
piece
Vegetables
50
g
24
piece
Asparagus
Tips only
100
g
Peas
Shelled
50
g
Mangetout
Chopped
2
piece
Radish
Finely chopped
1
piece
Micro Herbs
Mixture including pea shoots

Steps

  • Beat flour and water in a mixer until elastic, divide into two 2.5cm rectangles, and freeze.
  • Divide butter into two portions, roll flat between greaseproof paper, and chill in the fridge.
  • Roll first dough rectangle to double the butter size, seal butter inside, and perform book folds.
  • Repeat lamination with second dough rectangle while sieving cocoa onto the first layer.
  • Laminate both doughs twice more, resting in the freezer for 20 minutes between folds.
  • Blend pesto ingredients in a food processor and chill in a jar.
  • Dry fry hazelnuts then heat sugar and water in a pan to create caramel.
  • Combine nuts and caramel, cool, then blend into a smooth paste.
  • Boil milk and vanilla, then whisk into egg yolk, sugar, and cornflour.
  • Thicken custard with butter on heat, cool, and fold in whipped double cream.
  • Pour boiling cream over chocolate and espresso, mix until smooth, and transfer to a piping bag.
  • Preheat the oven to 200°C.
  • Roll doughs to 5mm thick and cut 24 discs and 24 rings from each type.
  • Assemble pastry rings on discs with egg wash, prick bases, and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Pipe ganache into the cooled chocolate pastry cases and allow to set.
  • Blanch asparagus, peas, mangetout, and beans in boiling water for 4 minutes then mix with pesto.
  • Bake Parma ham for 5 minutes until crisp and cut into thin strips.
  • Beat cream cheese with lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  • Assemble savoury vents with cream cheese, pesto, vegetables, ham, and micro herbs.
  • Top chocolate ganache with praline paste, crème légère, and chopped toasted hazelnuts.
  • Shave dark chocolate bar with a knife to create chocolate curls.
  • Garnish sweet vol-au-vents with chocolate curls and edible flowers before serving.