Plum of All Kind
March 05, 2013
The good find at the farmers market this past week-end was the Luisa plums. They are quite particular, shaped like a small mango, with a nice yellow and red hue and a sweet taste. They were very ripe, so I've made a jam. The other plum that has my preference is the greengage, la reine-claude. And you may have noticed that already. All green and round this plum is delightfully sweet and juicy.
On Sunday night, like an impulsion, I started to prepare the laminated dough to make a variation of the apricot danish with the little greengage. The dough is nothing else than a croissant pastry. It's been a long time since I played with this type of dough, so I was not too sure, but in the end it all went fine. The pastry is rich enough, so I've skipped the usual custard filling and simply placed greengage on top. The pastries are all gone by now and I may use a part of the remaining dough for croissants this time...
Greengage Danish
Please note I’ve used only half of the pastry for the quantity of fruit indicated. Adapted from this recipe.
-20g / 6 tsp fresh yeast -100g / 7 tbsp unsalted butter, dice and at room temperature -500g / 4 cups flour -10g / 1 1/2 tbsp salt -50g / 1/4 cup caster sugar -240g / 1 cup whole milk
-250g / 1 cup or 16tbsp unsalted butter soften.
6 greengages, halved and pitted 1 tbsp sugar + 1 tbsp boiling water to brush pastry</em>
Proof the yeast in the lukewarm milk with a pinch of sugar. In a large bowl mix together flour, sugar, salt. Add the diced butter and knead lightly to incorporate into the flour mix. Make a well in the centre of the flour mix and pour the milk and yeast in. Stir with a spatula until it comes together. Transfer the dough on a lightly four-dusted bench top and knead for 5 minutes. Let the dough rest in a bowl wrapped with cling wrap for an hour or until it doubles in size. On a lightly dusted flour bench top, roll out the dough into a rectangular shape, wrap it and place it in the fridge for an hour. Sandwiched between two sheets of cling wrap, flatten the butter with your palm or a rolling-pin to make a rectangle of similar size as the dough. Wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour. Remove the dough and butter from the fridge. On a lightly flour-dusted bench top, roll out the dough to make it two times larger. Place the butter rectangle in the middle and fold the dough extremities in the centre to lock the butter. Fold again the dough on itself like you would close a book. Roll out the dough, turn the dough 90° -clockwise- and fold again bringing the extremities to the centre and then folding the dough in two. Roll out the dough, rotate 90° -clockwise- and repeat the previous folds one more time. Wrap the dough in a plastic film and refrigerate for an hour. On a lightly flour-dusted bench top, roll out the dough less than 1/2 inches thick or 1cm thick. Cut out squares about 3 inches / 8cm length size. On each square diagonally cut 1 1/2 inches / 4 cm from the corners to the centre of the square. Fold one tip of each corner toward the centre to make a rosace shape. Let the pastry rise for an hour at room temperature on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Before baking place halved greengage cut side facing up on top and centre of each pastry and brush the pastries with the syrup made with the sugar and water. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until nicely golden on top.
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La bonne trouvaille au marché le week-end dernier a été les prunes Luisa. Elles sont assez particulières en forme de mangue, avec une jolie couleur jaune et rouge et un goût bien sucré. Elles étaient très mûres alors j'ai fait une confiture. L'autre prune qui a ma préférence est la reine-claude. Et vous avez sans doute remarqué cela depuis. Toute ronde et verte la reine-claude est délicieusement sucrée et juteuse.
Dimanche soir, un peu impulsivement, j'ai commencé à préparer la pâte pour faire une variante de l'oranais à l'abricot avec les petites reine-claudes. La pâte n'est rien d'autre que celle des croissants. Cela faisait un moment que je n'avais préparé une pâte de ce type, alors je n'étais pas trop sûre de mon coup, mais au final elle s'est bien comportée. La pâte étant déjà riche, j'ai omis la crème pâtissière habituelle et j'ai simplement garni le dessus avec une moitié de reine-claude. Tout a été englouti à présent et je songe faire quelques croissants avec une partie de la pâte restante...
Comments
Cuteness! Definitely have to make these. This time, I’m going to dream about having these in New Zealand! thyme (Sarah)
So curious about greengages! I like how shiny and lime-coloured they are inside. Might have to grab a couple next time I see them. And - the star shape of your pastries is SO pretty! x hungryandfrozen
I have not seen greengage in my area of Virginia. I do love “Reine Claudes”, so wonderful in jam and baking. And your little danish are so precise yet so charming - I recognize the architect’s eye and hand! Sylvie in Rappahannock
Rosa, indeed fall has officially started here. Summer seems to linger this year though and I’m so grateful for that. Louisabellissima, thank you ! Peter, thank you very much ! Leaf, thank you. It’s better to cook the plum cut side up unlike I did on the first batch. Mary, thank you ! I’m afraid the plum jam will be gone before winter is here… Irena, thank you ! Le Grumeau, merci beaucoup ! Sylvie, yes I remember that we both share this love for reine-claude. Next your turn ! Nicola, you’re so lucky to get them right from the tree even if this year was not a good crop for you. Thank you for your kind words. BitebyMichelle, thank you! Happy to read this post helps you to get through till Spring ! Hungryandfrozen, I’ve seen some at Moore Wilson. Should try them ! Thyme, you’re welcome anytime here ;) Vanille
Wow, those plums are gorgeous! As are the pastries. I am sure they are delicious too! Natasha
Love your recent pictures which make me realise how lazy I have been with my camera of late. I have some greengages which I just planned to compote but perhaps I should be a little more adventures and makes some pastry instead. Domestic Executive (@domesticexec)
Is gorgeous! Bluejellybeans
I’m madly in love with reine claudes, they are my very favorite and I eagerly await for them to be in season every summer. Sylvie Shirazi (@gourmandeinthek)
I love greengage plum, sadly our tree had an ‘off’ year so I didn’t get my fix this year. Beautiful pastries, thanks for the inspiration. Nicola Galloway
Given that I’m still sitting in the middle of a deep freeze, I LOVE reading your posts! Gives me hope that soon the warm weather will come… Stunning photos! bitebymichelle
Plums arefabulous and so are Danish pastries! A wonderful end of summer/fall treat. Cheers, Rosa Rosa Mayland
Beautiful! louisabellissima
Wow! These look gorgeous! Both the pastries and the plums! Peter G (@souvlakiman)
Those are some gorgeous danishes! And the plum on top is just perfect. leaf (the indolent cook)
i cannot get over how lovely your creations always look and how beautiful your photos are! and that plum jam sounds so amazing. mary @ B&Gjournals
Looks great!!! IRENA & dots
The dough looks so delicious, and, as always, the pictures are simply awesome! Le Grumeau