Clodagh's Vol Au Vent Masterclass | This Morning

puff pastry

🥗Healthier: phyllo dough

💰Cheaper: homemade pastry

Phyllo dough is lower in fat, while homemade pastry can save costs.

chicken

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: canned chicken

Tofu is a plant-based alternative, while canned chicken is budget-friendly.

cream

🥗Healthier: coconut cream

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Coconut cream offers a dairy-free option, while the alternative thickens like cream.

white wine

🥗Healthier: grape juice

💰Cheaper: apple cider

Grape juice provides sweetness without alcohol, and apple cider is often less expensive.

Get butter puff pastry from the supermarket, ensuring it's made with butter and not vegetable fat or margarine.

Roll out the pastry to about 5mm thickness if it's not pre-rolled.

Use two cookie cutters (or glasses) to cut out shapes from the pastry, pressing down firmly to avoid a leaning tower effect.

Place the cut pastry shapes on a baking sheet lined with greaseproof paper.

Prepare an egg wash by mixing egg yolk with water, ensuring it's light to allow the pastry to rise properly.

Apply the egg wash lightly on the pastry shapes and place them in the fridge.

Use the smaller cutter to press down in the center of each pastry shape halfway to create a well for filling.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and bake the pastries for 15 minutes, checking after 12 minutes for doneness.

For the chicken filling, poach chicken in chicken stock or roast it, then chop and mix with leeks, garlic, pancetta, white wine, cream, and thyme, simmering for a few minutes.

For the mushroom filling, sauté mushrooms and garlic, then mix in creme fraiche and lemon juice.

For the prawn cocktail filling, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, fresh dill, and capers together.

Once the pastries are baked, cut off the tops, remove some filling, and fill with the desired mixture.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens