Introduction to pastry and bakery September 2014: Pecan Tart and Apple Crumble [DC09-G05]

In this week Pastry Practical Class with our lovely Chef Jean Michel, we made two delicious dessert that are Pecan Tart and Apple Crumble.

Pecan tart (Pecan Pie) is a pie made primarily with corn syrup and pecan nuts. Variations may include white or brown sugar, sugar syrup,molasses, maple syrup, or honey. It is popularly served at holiday meals and is also considered a speciality of Southern U.S. cuisine. Most pecan pie recipes include salt and vanilla as flavourings. Chocolate and bourbon whiskey are other popular additions to the recipe. Pecan pie is often served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Pecan pie is often mentioned in American literature (and television) as associated with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other special occasions; for example:

Dooley handed them a basket stuffed with fruit, nuts, candy, a tinned ham, and a pecan pie. "Merry Christmas!" he said.

—Jan Karon, A Light in the Window

The only kitchen item I usually bring to Italy is plastic wrap... This time, however, I have brought one bag of Georgia pecans and a can of cane syrup, pecan pie being a necessary ingredient of Christmas.

—Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun

Pecan pie is a staple of the Southern U.S., and is often used in literary context as a symbol of the South; for example:

Beneath the shade of a Georgia pine
And that's home you know
Sweet tea, pecan pie and homemade wine
Where the peaches grow

—Zac Brown

Check it out :
Pecan Tart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxtUvouGyqc

Apple crisp (name used in the United States and Canada) or apple crumble (name preferred in the United Kingdom,Australia and New Zealand) is a dessert consisting of baked apples topped with a crisp crust. Ingredients usually include cooked apples, butter, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and often oats and brown sugar, ginger, and/or nutmeg. Many different kinds of fruit can substituted for apples, such as peaches, berries, pears, etc. One of the most common variants is apple rhubarb crisp, in which the rhubarb provides a tart contrast to the apples.

Additionally, in most high-value establishments, apple crumble is served in conjunction with custard. However, it is worth noting in restaurants of lower culinary standing, apple crisp tend to be served with ice cream. Many high-profile chefs of the 21st century have publicly denounced the combination of apple crisp and ice cream. This is because, as the ice cream melts it mixes with the apple and undermines the crumbles texture, which is an integral part of the popular dessert.

Check it out :
Apple Crumble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4fPCW9Q-pE

and here are some pictures from our class