The humble pastry. Short. Sweet. Puff. As a child, I quickly discovered that sometimes the favourite part of a pie, tart or dessert was the buttery pastry.
When I visit a favourite blog, or flick through one of my baking books, I am constantly reminded that I really do not make enough pastry.
This is about to change.
I have attended a number of pastry classes here in Brisbane. With Chef Andreas Stossel (Swiss pastry chef and head patisserie teacher at Southbank Institute), Chef Kristie Rickman (head pastry chef at E’cco Bistro) and Chef Michael Courgnaud (French pastry chef and patisserie teacher at Shafston College).
It is time I put into practise what I have learned from these instructors, along with the hoards of books I own, as well as the tips and hints from many of my fellow baking bloggers.
So I am dedicating a month to pastry making, un mois de pâtisserie. I will be covering off:
pâte brisée :: short crust pastry
pâte sablée :: sweetened short pastry
pâte sucrée :: rich and crumbly sweet tart pastry
pâte à choux:: choux pastry
pâte feuilletée :: puff pastry
It will be like my very own month long amateur pastry class!
If you have any great resources, ideas and suggestions for :: pastry month :: please send them my way. Until then, I have my tools and books ready. Recipes and techniques under review.
Wish me luck!
Mélanger :: to mix 
August 2, 2009 at 10:21 am
Looking forward to this month’s posts!
Cheers,
Rosa
August 2, 2009 at 11:05 am
Good luck! What a good idea. I think I’ve tried all the pastry except for puff. Looking forward to seeing yours 🙂
August 2, 2009 at 11:28 am
Me too!!! Can’t wait!!!
My favourite resource for pastry is “The Cook’s Book : Patisserie” by Loretta Sartori. (ISBN: 9780864584038) available from Essential Ingredient. I have done 2 of Loretta Sartori’s classes and she is pastry-chef extraordinaire, (Melbourne’s best-kept culinary secret). It is a textbook written for Australian professional pastry cooks, bakers and confectioners. It’s also great for anyone interested in this area. You won’t get pretty pictures but you get the science behind the techniques.
August 10, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Corry, thank you so much. I have already checked out Loretta and have put her books on my list. P.S. So jealous about Savour!
August 2, 2009 at 11:37 am
P.S.( I forgot to mention, you have inspired me yet again!!! I am off to Savour at the end of the month to the M class).
August 2, 2009 at 12:21 pm
oooh, I can’t wait to see what you are going to do . . .
August 2, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Ooh sounds like it’s going to be a fun month!
August 2, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Oh how cool! I just bought Michel Roux’s Pastry cookbook, so I might just follow along! I’ve never made puff pastry, so that might have to be first on the list…
August 10, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Caitlyn, I used a Roux Brother recipe (well, borrowed recipe). It was fantastic. You must try!!!
August 2, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Oh…oh…oh… I am ecstatic… can’t wait for your post. Especially with puff pastry. Are you going to make the chocolate puff pastry?
August 10, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Elra, I’ll try and do regular puff first. Not as adventurous as you! 😉
August 2, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Another reason for me to love the month of August (refer to your last post, a “special” birthday too!) . . can’t wait for the posts to come. And become an expert like you on the different types of pastry crusts – the best part of the dessert of course. I can already taste the little pieces I love to steal with my fingers, mmm! So as you requested… bonne chance alors ! !
August 10, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Merci beaucoup, mon amie!
August 2, 2009 at 11:25 pm
I think that’s such a great idea! I think i’ll have to start my month of pastry dough making! I can’t wait to see what you have planned. i’m already looking forward to it!
August 3, 2009 at 8:20 am
Ooh I can’t wait to see this! I have a strange fear of pastry, even though it’s always easier than I expect when I scrounge up the courage to do it. I’m sure your posts will be good inspiration for me 🙂
August 3, 2009 at 1:58 pm
oh my god, how delicious! I cant wait to see all you flaky, buttery, crispy posts. In fact I’m drooling just thinking about them!
August 3, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Best of luck Julia! I used to fear making pastry but it has now become a friend! 🙂
August 3, 2009 at 11:48 pm
What a great idea! Best of luck to you! I just recently made my first pâte brisée and wasn’t completely happy with the results, so I’m excited to see your experimentation and pick up some tips!
August 4, 2009 at 12:14 am
WOOHOO! this sounds fantastic….I’m dying to see your new works of art and reading all about the recipes :o) xx
August 4, 2009 at 11:22 am
I have to honest: I’m not a fan of pastries. But I LOVE looking at them, which is what I’m gonna do this month! Can’t wait! >.<
August 10, 2009 at 8:28 pm
What about savoury pastries???
August 4, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Can’t wait to see you tackle all these pastries. With your adorable tart tins, pie weights and rolling pin looks like you are ready to roll!
August 4, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Been fascinated with different kinds of pastry since I saw Michel Roux’s book– can’t wait to see what you have in store for us! 🙂
August 4, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Sounds like a plan! 🙂 I would love to tackle some pastries myself, but I am swamped – printing a new series of images for upcoming exhibition.. so I guess I’ll have to watch from the sidelines..
August 5, 2009 at 7:59 am
Hello, I just found your blog and it seems I came at a good time.. Pastry is SCARY and I don’t make enough of it myself so I’m looking forward to seeing what you put together.
P.S. Lovely site 🙂
August 5, 2009 at 10:24 am
Good luck! Can’t wait to see the results – especially as I LOVE pastry!!!!! yum yum yum
August 7, 2009 at 1:19 am
Aww..am excited, can’t wait to see you you are going to make… love to take some knowledge out of you 🙂
August 8, 2009 at 6:03 pm
A truly beautiful blog Julia.
Will be a regular visitor from now on! Have you tried Beaterblade?
August 9, 2009 at 10:29 pm
[…] (but hopefully rewarding!) task ahead. I was about to tackle the most difficult pastry of pastry month. Pâte feuilletée, or puff […]
August 10, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Thank you everyone for your encouragement for my pastry month. May as well fully throw yourself into something, right? Hope you enjoy the posts throughout the month. I’ll do a little wrap up at the end with the key things I’ve learned … for those interested! 🙂
August 14, 2009 at 6:42 am
happy pastry month ^^ .. XOXO
August 31, 2009 at 8:04 pm
[…] an elegant or casual dessert, or simply an afternoon treat, this monthI have re-familiarised myself with the fact there is quite simply a pastry for all occasions and […]