• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
  • Contact us
  • Guest Content
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Elevenses
  • Business
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Property
  • JOBS
  • All
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Sport
    • Tech/Auto
    • Lifestyle
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Set For Life
      • Thunderball
      • EuroMillions
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Food and Drink

In Search of the Ultimate Choux Pastry

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Upon searching for the true origin of choux pastry, it’s almost impossible to find an absolute, definitive result. Some cookbooks name check a chef named Pantarelli (or Pantanelli) from the 1500s as the rightful inventor, using the dough to craft a gateau named pâte à Pantanelli. Others believe that […]

Jon Hatchman by Jon Hatchman
2015-10-06 11:29
in Food and Drink, Restaurants
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food

Upon searching for the true origin of choux pastry, it’s almost impossible to find an absolute, definitive result. Some cookbooks name check a chef named Pantarelli (or Pantanelli) from the 1500s as the rightful inventor, using the dough to craft a gateau named pâte à Pantanelli. Others believe that the pastry’s origins stem from a more modern pâtissier named Avice – said to have created the first choux buns, which resembled cabbages (choux in French) in the 1800s. Since then, however, even more modifications have been made and the general recipe that’s now used for profiteroles (small choux buns traditionally stuffed with cream and topped with chocolate sauce) is said to have come from Antoine Carême; an early practitioner of ‘Grande Cuisine’. Whichever choux philosophy we choose to follow, it’s impossible to deny that France is the rightful home of the consistently popular dough.

Nowadays choux pastry is a staple of French cuisine, often used for sweet treats although savoury cheese filled gougères are very popular, as is Parisian gnocchi – a method that involved poaching the pastry dough. Fortunately, however, Maître Choux opened its doors in London earlier this year – a patisserie that provides a range of treats so delicious it’s no longer necessary for to cross the channel in order to satisfyingly feed our choux pastry cravings. Set up as the brainchild of Joakim Prat (a young pastry chef from South West France), Maître Choux is the only pastry shop in London to feature a three Michelin Star experienced chef. Having fallen in love with pastry at a young age, Prat eventually held positions within some of Europe’s most renowned kitchens. Most notably his work has included stints as Head Pastry Chef at London’s L’Atelier Joël Robuchon and The Green House in Mayfair (both have two Michelin Stars) as well as serving as Executive Pastry Chef within Spain’s Can Fabes, which holds three Michelin Stars.

Joakim Prat piping éclairs at Maitre Choux

Inside the humble patisserie, there are a handful of seats to enjoy the creations on offer, but it’s the glass cabinets filled with luxurious delights that take the main focus. As for the window display of éclairs, it resembles a colour chart of mouth-wateringly delicious flavours – baked each morning and decorated with expert precision. These nine available flavours include the likes of Maître Choux’s signature dark chocolate éclair – although this is completely different to the mass-produced traditional éclairs available throughout the city. Instead, the perfectly cooked pastry is complemented by a blend of 60%, 70% and 80% chocolate to craft an incredibly dark chocolate crème pâtissière, while whipped cream is also added to provide a comforting, albeit indulgent, balance.

Elsewhere, the Arabica coffee éclair is perfect for coffee lovers with its satisfying bitterness, while the classic Fraises Estivales (strawberry éclair) is certainly the most traditionally French looking. Topped with light whipped cream, sumptuous strawberries and a sprinkling of candied and crumbled pistachio nut, filled with vanilla cream that’s layered with strawberry purée – evocative of the summer that now seems so far away. A personal favourite, however, is undoubtedly the Persian pistachio offering that’s filled with a Mousseline-style cream and topped with candied pistachios that add a subtle saltiness, working well alongside the overall sweetness of the delights on offer to sample. The pistachio choux à la crème, on the other hand, is piped with strawberry purée, as well as the pistachio cream – the result is strangely reminiscent of a great British doughnut, albeit lighter and crafted with crisp, delicate choux pastry – of course. Another honourable mention must go to the chouquettes – empty choux casings topped with pearl sugar and baked, typically eaten in France for breakfast or as snacks – a steal at £3.50 for 10. Even better when accompanied by a cup of Basque hot chocolate, made using a recipe from Joakim’s grandmother, which is thick and perfect for dipping.

Every sweet-toothed Londoner simply must pay a visit to Maître Choux in South Kensington, just beware that only one batch of the growingly popular éclairs is made daily, so arrive as early as possible to avoid any disappointment.

Maître Choux can be found at 15 Harrington Road, London, SW7 3ES.

RelatedPosts

Restaurant review: The Cocochine, Mayfair

Round up of Food and Drink News and Events

Italian cheese brand Galbani to open pop-up Burrata Bar in support of Anthony Nolan Trust

Upcoming chef collaborations at Taku, Pavyllon and Rick Stein Barnes

Please login to join discussion

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

SUPPORT

We do not charge or put articles behind a paywall. If you can, please show your appreciation for our free content by donating whatever you think is fair to help keep TLE growing and support real, independent, investigative journalism.

DONATE & SUPPORT

Contact

Editorial enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Commercial enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Address

The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE
Company number 09221879
International House,
24 Holborn Viaduct,
London EC1A 2BN,
United Kingdom

© The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Lottery Results
    • Lotto
    • Set For Life
    • Thunderball
    • EuroMillions
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy

← TLE/Al Jazeera visits…The DSEI arms fair ← Preview: Slamboree Halloween Extravaganza Coming To London and Manchester
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Lottery Results
    • Lotto
    • Set For Life
    • Thunderball
    • EuroMillions
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy

-->