The French are perhaps the most exquisite and best culinary specialists in the whole world, and this is no longer a secret. And indeed, most exotic recipes were invented precisely by French chefs and cooks.
Especially popular among gourmets and connoisseurs of goodies are their various sweets, one of the most common is considered to be the most delicious and most delicious dessert - parfait.
Recipe and History
Parfait translated from French means beautiful, impeccable, and without any doubt, this dessert is worthy of the name. Cold, aromatic, mouth-watering delicacy - it can be attributed to the highest cuisine.
But there are not only confectionery parfait. Its recipe, of course, is better known, however, it turns out that parfait is also made from vegetables, liver and meat. In any case, it should be very magnificent, tender, like mousse, and served chilled.
Classic
In the classic parfait, the recipe of which is presented in the article, in addition to the main products, which will be discussed below, includes such ingredients as a variety of exotic flavors, various additives: cocoa, chocolate, cinnamon, rum, vanilla and other goodies.
The effect of melting in the mouth is achieved due to the fact that the parfait was originally prepared in such a way that the prepared mixture acquires the desired density with prolonged cooling in molds.
Parfait at home
Parfait is a classic and far from cheap recipe offered by restaurants, and therefore many housewives believe that cooking it at home is simply unrealistic. But this is not so. In fact, in the preparation of parfait, the recipe of which can be learned by almost everything, there is nothing complicated. The main thing to remember: before cooking, all the ingredients that make up your dessert should be cooled to almost a frozen state.
American parfait
In our country, the most famous is considered the option of making parfait in the American way. Most often, it is a dessert, which is prepared from several layers of whipped cream and a gelatin dessert with fruit and berry ingredients. The composition of such a parfait may also include nuts, syrups, liquors and others.
They make it in special high dishes in such a way that the layers do not mix and are well visible from the side. Decorate with chocolate sprinkles, coconut, berries, both fresh and frozen.
Cooking parfait: a basic recipe
The basis of the confectionery dessert includes heavily whipped cream, proteins or yolks, sugar, vanilla. Then this mixture is subjected to freezing in special molds. The composition of the parfait may include fruits and berries, cocoa, chocolate, cognac, coffee and much more.
So, for cooking you will need:
- four chicken yolks;
- salt on the tip of a knife;
- one glass of powdered sugar;
- a quarter cup of hot but not boiling water;
- 500 ml of high-fat cream, they must be thick and necessarily natural.
Cooking method:
- Put the yolks in a container, salt and beat until a stable white mass is formed.
- Pour hot water into a small saucepan, pour powdered sugar into it, mix thoroughly. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce heat and simmer for approximately 5 minutes. Let the resulting syrup cool slightly.
- Next, pour hot sugar syrup into the prepared yolks in a thin stream, and do not stop whisking until the mass cools. You should get a foamy substance of a thick consistency, shiny in appearance.
- Cool the cream well, then beat for about 10 minutes. The foam should stand.
- Gently mix both masses and put into a mold, which is pre-lined with cling film.
- Chill your parfait in the freezer for 5 hours.
What else are there
Now you know the basic method of making this dessert. Let's look at other options. For example, chocolate parfait, the recipe of which is extremely simple.
In order for your parfait to become chocolate, melted chocolate or cocoa powder is added to the basic recipe. If you choose chocolate, then it should be poured into the prepared syrup and mixed, and it is better to mix cocoa with powdered sugar.
But berry parfait can be prepared using absolutely any berries - strawberries, strawberries, blueberries, currants, cherries, gooseberries, raspberries, cranberries and others. They can be canned, frozen, fresh, candied - it all depends on your imagination and taste preferences. Here, berry syrup is added to the basic recipe. To do this, mash a glass of berries, mix it with 1/4 glass of water and boil until boiling, add to the rest of the ingredients of the recipe. Spread such parfait in layers, alternating whole or sliced pieces of berries with whipped mass, after which everything is frozen for at least 4 hours.
Strawberry Parfait: Recipe
The detailed recipe for this dessert is quite simple. To prepare it, you will need:
- fresh strawberries - 300 g;
- one protein;
- a pinch of salt;
- 50 ml of liquid honey - optional;
- thick whipped cream - 150 g;
- fresh mint or lemon balm leaves.
Cooking method:
- Rinse the strawberries well and let the water drain.
- In a blender, mash 200 g berries.
- Mix protein with salt and beat until foam. Pour into honey gradually, continuing to whisk, the mass should be lush and shiny.
- Add two-thirds of the berry puree and whipped cream to the mass, stir everything thoroughly.
- Cover the tins with cling film, pour in the parfait and put everything in the refrigerator for two hours.
Remove the finished parfait from the molds on dessert plates, decorate it with sliced slices or mugs of strawberries, mint leaves and the remaining berry puree.
As you can see, in fact, in the preparation of parfait there is nothing difficult and overly complicated. In addition, you can create your own dessert using only this basic recipe. Instead of berries, you can use fruits, it is possible to combine several ingredients. Experiment and surprise your loved ones and friends with delicious dishes in your own kitchen.
Enjoy your meal!