Essential Pepin Season 1 Episode 15 All Puffed Up

In episode 15 of season 1 of Essential Pepin, titled "All Puffed Up," legendary chef Jacques Pepin demonstrates a variety of recipes that feature puff pastry. Pepin begins by showing viewers how to make the classic French dessert, napoleon, which consists of layers of puff pastry filled with pastry cream and topped with a chocolate glaze. He then moves on to a savory tart featuring caramelized onions and goat cheese.

Next up is a recipe for vol-au-vents, which are small, puff pastry shells filled with a variety of ingredients. Pepin demonstrates how to make the shells from scratch and fills them with a mixture of mushrooms, ham, and crabmeat. He also shows viewers how to make another variation using chicken and vegetables.

In addition to these classic puff pastry dishes, Pepin also shares some more unique recipes, including a dish he calls "vegetable puffs." He stuffs the puff pastry with a mixture of sauteed vegetables and goat cheese, creating a light and flavorful appetizer.

Finally, Pepin demonstrates a recipe for individual beef wellingtons, which are individual portions of beef tenderloin wrapped in puff pastry. He shows viewers how to achieve the perfect sear on the beef and how to wrap it in the pastry so that it cooks evenly in the oven. He also shares a trick for making sure the pastry stays crisp even after slicing into it.

Throughout the episode, Pepin provides helpful tips and tricks for working with puff pastry, including how to properly thaw and handle it so that it doesn't become too soft or difficult to work with. He also recommends using high-quality butter for the best results.

Overall, "All Puffed Up" is a delightful episode that showcases the versatility and deliciousness of puff pastry. Pepin's recipes are accessible and well-explained, making them perfect for anyone looking to experiment with this classic ingredient in their own kitchen.