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NDTV
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Watch: Diljit Dosanjh And His Team Relish Avocado Toast, Scrambled Eggs And More
Diljit Dosanjh is back with his food shenanigans. Be it his kitchen tales or trying the most expensive beverage in London, the Punjabi singer-turned-actor never fails to wow us. TBH, his social media game can give Gen-Z a run for their money. Wondering what he is up to? Diljit stepped out with his friends and enjoyed a yummilicious spread at a luxury restaurant. We can spot avocado toast, scrambled eggs. Orange juice, giant croissants, fudge cake, Lemon meringue, Paris-Brest, lime drink, coffee, Hummus and pita bread. Hungry, already? The video became an instant hit on social media. Take a look here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) Remember when Diljit Dosanjh relished the most expensive coffee in London? The coffee cost him Rs 30,000. In a funny video, Diljit documented the whole experience. He can be heard saying, 'I want to drink the Japan Typica coffee. This is too pricey. They are measuring and pouring everything despite taking so much money. I am going to drink something pure now. I am not going to have food today, this is the only thing I'll have. Each sip is worth Rs 7,000.' Diljit, in his signature style, added, "Itne mein India mein shaadi attend kar leta (I would have attended a wedding in India for this price)" He said, "Alag feel karoon, yeh toh pheeki hai coffee (Should I feel different... this is bland". In the video, he also quips, "Saath mein laddoo, boondi bhi le aao, it is London's most expensive coffee (Get some snacks with it too)." Watch the full video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) Diljit Dosanjh's love for coffee is like an open secret. A while back, he allowed us to take a look at his 'very very frothing day.' From making eggs to blending the coffee, the singer did it all with a touch of sass and humour.
GMA Network
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Pride Month 2025: LGBTQ+ brands worth celebrating and supporting in June and beyond
Happy Pride! This month, we're shining a fabulous spotlight on local LGBTQ+-owned businesses that are slaying the game in fashion, beauty, and food. Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally ready to throw some love and support this Pride Month and beyond, here are local brands to keep on your radar (or should we say, gaydar?) Butterboy Butterboy is no stranger, especially to drag fans who like watching drag shows in broad daylight. But besides the fabulous performances, this bakeshop in Quezon City offers high-quality pastries that don't break the bank. They have classic croissants for as low as P60 and specialty croissants, such as Paris-Brest croissants, for P143. Butterboy is located at 81 Basa St., Quezon City. Téviant Téviant is a makeup brand founded by celebrity makeup artist Albert Kurniawan in 2018, with Heart Evangelista being its long-time muse. Since its launch, it has expanded to a complete makeup collection featuring foundation, eyeshadow, blush, mascara, and a wide range of lip products. Téviant is available via Lazada, Shopee, TikTok, and select SM outlets. Salad Day Salad Day is a fashion accessories and clothing brand created by Filipino designer Will Mateo. It champions maximalist and fearless self-expression pieces perfect for those who are unapologetically loud when it comes to dressing up, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community. Salad Day is available via Instagram. Aratel Fancy Y2K pieces? Aratel is the fashion label for you! Based in Cavite, Aratel has garnered attention for its statement pieces like the "SMALLEST WAIST IN THIS ROOM" top, which exemplifies the brand's commitment to empowering wearers through fashion. It also offers fun and trendy pieces like cheetah print sets, halter tops, and more. Aratel is available via Shopee and TikTok. Glorious Dias Glorious Dias is one of the fashion labels people visit in Manila due to its fun and unique pieces, ranging from clothes and accessories to trinkets that go beyond fashion to serve as a medium for personal storytelling and self-expression. Glorious Dias is located at the First United Building, Binondo, Manila City. The Bald Baker The Bald Baker, or Cy Ynares, is a food and lifestyle content creator who sells delectable cookies through social media. His menu features a variety of mouthwatering treats, with his brown butter cookies receiving rave reviews for their rich, buttery flavor. You can find The Bald Baker on Instagram. The Hungry Chef The Hungry Chef, or Nathaniel Uy, is a food content creator known for selling artisanal mooncakes on social media. His offerings include classic lotus paste mooncakes available in the plain, single-yolk, and double-yolk variations, as well as black bean mooncakes with similar options. You can find The Hungry Chef on Instagram. —CDC, GMA Integrated News
Time Out Dubai
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Best afternoon teas in Dubai 2025: 10 top-rated spots to try next
Located in some of the city's most luxurious hotels, the best afternoon teas in Dubai offer a a taste of luxury with endless sweet and savoury treats included. Check out the full list of Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025 winners here And with the temperatures soaring in Dubai right now, we think this is one of the best ways to enjoy the indoors (if we say so ourselves). Whether you're looking for a one-off celebration or a catch-up with friends, here are the top-rated afternoon teas in Dubai to book and pronto. Time Out Dubai reviews anonymously and pays for all its meals. For more on the review process click here. These are officially the best Afternoon Teas in Dubai, as recognised by the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025. The best afternoon teas in Dubai 2025 WINNER The Royal Tearoom Afternoon teas in Dubai. Credit: The Royal Tearoom For afternoon tea connoisseurs who have been there, done that, this is a must-try. Served in the huge lobby of the world-famous hotel, next to the water droplet sculpture and just back from the fire walls on entry, there's a lot to catch your interest at this one. But the afternoon tea that arrives is guaranteed to keep your attention. Served with flair – and explanations about the tea-brewing process – there's a selection of high-quality sandwiches and a generous selection of cakes. Dhs560 for two. Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, (04 426 2626). Check out our full The Royal Tearoom review here Highly commended Bijou Patisserie Best afternoon teas in Dubai. Credit: Bijou Patisserie This super-cute spot is home to one of the best afternoon teas in Dubai, having picked up this award in the past. Served in a vault, this is another that has a fun twist on a classic tea setup. Being at a French patisserie the cakes, as you'd expect, are exceptional, though there aren't any scones (word for the purists). You'll not feel like you're missing out those as the pastries and sweet treats are so delightful. Expect canelé, madeleine, millefeuille and more, as well as savoury stuffed croissants, brioche and éclair. From Dhs195 per person. Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, Oud Metha, (04 281 4111). The Gallery Best afternoon teas in Dubai. Credit: The Gallery Held in its striking lobby with views over Marasi Bay Marina, afternoon tea at The Lana is a sophisticated event created by award-winning pastry chef Angelo Musa. Begin with an assortment of six traditional finger sandwiches, including coronation chicken, lobster & prawn, and truffle egg. These are followed with raisin and plain scones served with Devon clotted cream and the chef's signature jams. Pastries are the highlight here, including a rich chocolate ganache tart and Paris-Brest, with everything presented on the most delicate porcelain. You won't pour your tea out of a finer pot than this. Licensed. From Dhs600 per person. The Lana – Dorchester Collection, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, (04 541 7755). Shortlisted Al Fayrooz Lounge Best afternoon teas in Dubai. Credit: Al Fayrooz Lounge This longstanding lounge is great to visit, especially if you have visitors in town. With a prime view of the Burj Al Arab, the terrace is the ideal place to sit in cooler months to really take in the sights. Tea is a perfectly presented affair with a wide selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones, while the atmosphere is elegant with friendly, efficient service. There's an excellent choice of teas to pick from too, if you're partial to a cuppa. Licensed. Jumeirah Al Qasr, Umm Suqeim, (800 323232). Check out our full Al Fayrooz Lounge review here Al Mandhar Lounge Credit: Al Mandhar Found in the chic Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel, this afternoon tea also has views of Burj Al Arab as well as a traditional feel. The Turtle Tea (named thanks to the hotel's turtle lagoon) comes served on a stunning turtle-shaped stand, which is a unique touch. Sandwiches are delicate and prettily presented, the cakes are moreish and the scones are just as good as you'd hope they'd be. Don't forget to head outside to the terrace to get that perfect Insta snap of the iconic sail-shaped building before you leave. Licensed. Jumeirah Al Naseem Umm Suqeim, (800 323232). Blüthner Hall Best afternoon teas in Dubai. Credit: Blüthner Hall One of the most striking, opulent settings around, Blüthner Hall's afternoon tea is a full-on traditional affair with sandwiches, scones, pastries and more. The regal entrance hall has a massive chandelier, ascend the staircase and take your seat on one of the plush sofas or large, upholstered armchairs as you take in the surroundings. Tea comes on elegant stands and there's a large spread with plenty to get stuck into. Licensed. Raffles The Palm Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, (04 248 8888). Mosaico Best afternoon teas in Dubai. Credit: Mosaico This hotel from the high-end fashion house has a classic tea that's as well presented as you'd expect. Served on a crimson stand with various little sections, treats such as prawn sandwiches and turkey ham and cheese millefeuille are joined by plain and raisin scones, a selection of cakes and a wide selection of teas to sip on. The terrace is cute, overlooks the pool, and has an elegant setting. Licensed. Palazzo Versace Dubai, Al Jaddaf, (04 556 8850). Check out our full Mosaico review here Raffles Salon Best afternoon teas in Dubai. Credit: Raffles Salon This longstanding afternoon tea in Dubai's Raffles hotel is a charming one for families and for those who love a traditional mid-afternoon meal. With huge comfy sofas, slick service and an old-school vibe, it's a treat for an afternoon out. Classic sandwiches and scones come with pots of cream and jam, and plenty of cakes, you'll probably end up taking a few home for the next day. Licensed. Raffles Dubai, Oud Metha, (04 324 8888). Check out our full Raffles Salon review here Skyview Lounge Afternoon tea at Burj Al Arab is a bucket-list experience that doesn't disappoint. This year, the experience relocated from the Sahn Eddar lobby café to the 27th floor Skyview Lounge with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. The menu changes regularly and is themed for specific seasons, but expect to start with delicate savoury items like tartlets, millefeuille and beignet. A step-up from the standard sandwich, all made with the finest ingredients and adorned with the likes of caviar and gold leaf. Sweet bites follow, with perfectly executed choux pastries, shortbread and sponge among them. It is one of the most high-end afternoon teas and a wonderful opportunity to see the city from a high vantage point. Licensed. Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Umm Suqeim 3, (800 323232). Shai Salon & Terrace Best afternoon teas in Dubai. Credit: Shai Salon & Terrace At such a venue as the Four Seasons, a high-end afternoon tea offering is expected, and that's what you'll get. There's a selection of sandwiches, cakes and pastries from around the region, so it's a twist on a classic, if you're looking for something a little different. Taking place in the elegant Shai Salon, there are beautiful views out to sea from the terrace, while the interiors are elegant and chic. Dhs240 for two. Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah 1, (04 270 7805). Check out our full Shai Lounge & Terrace review here Other award-winning spots in Dubai The 10 best tasting menus in Dubai for a world-class dining experience Places you have to try at least once 10 best family restaurants in Dubai to suit everyone Everyone will be happy, trust us 10 of the best cafés in Dubai that deserve a visit So good, you won't want to leave
The Guardian
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
From cassoulet in Carcassonne to patisseries in Paris – a tour of France in 10 classic dishes
Of course you can enjoy exquisitely crafted patisseries all over France, but Paris is home to many of the country's best pâtissiers, and many of the individual gateaux have a connection to the city. As you delve into the layers of almond sponge, ganache and buttercream that form the opera cake, you may see how it was inspired by the ornate balconies of the Palais Garnier opera house; while the Paris-Brest, a wheel-shaped choux, was first made in 1910 to commemorate the famously brutal cycle race. Seek out a rum baba – a brioche-like treat soaked in rum‑infused syrup – and you might be told the story of how it was created by Nicolas Stohrer, the chef of the exiled Polish king Stanislas. The patisserie that bears his name has been at 51 rue Montorgueil since 1730 and is officially classed as a historic monument. Among the 21st-century stars of the Parisian pastry scene are Cyril Lignac, who makes a sublime caramel eclair; Yann Couvreur, who takes the chouquette (similar to a profiterole) to the next level by filling it with vanilla cream; and Cedric Grolet, whose trompe l'oeil patisseries are as astonishing to the eye as the taste buds – they look just like the fruits and nuts of their flavours. Those with dietary requirements need not miss out either. Vegans are very well catered for at Land&Monkeys, while there is a huge range of gluten-free cakes, pastries and breads at to stay The family-run Hotel Saint-Paul Rive Gauche has doubles from €198 room-only, Heaven help anyone who expects to see potatoes and French beans in a salade niçoise when in Nice; the real thing contains neither (such a suggestion may be met with a 'quel horreur' from a local). There is much debate about what it should contain, however; some Niçois will only use tuna or anchovies, not both, and only canned, not fresh; others insist it should contain a certain kind of olive. While the locals battle it out in their kitchens, you can enjoy the welcoming atmosphere in the family-run restaurants of Vieux Nice, where your only dilemma is what to order. Look out for the Cuisine Nissarde sign (it shows a woman in a straw hat with a basket of vegetables), which denotes that dishes have been made traditionally with good-quality ingredients. At Restaurant Acchiardo (mains from €17), the family are proud to tell the story of their Italian great-grandmother Madalin, who walked across the Alps in the early 20th century for a job with an aristocratic English family, and later set up the restaurant. Their salade niçoise includes rocket, basil, tomatoes, artichoke, egg, anchovies and tuna, and makes a great starter before their mains, such as beef fillet 'Madalin style', with anchovies, garlic and parsley. Another must-try dish in Nice is the chickpea-flour pancake socca, which you can buy by the slice at Chez Theresa (€3) in the Cours Saleya market, or at Chez Pipo (€3.80), and nibble it as you wander around the old town and the to stay Hotel Windsor has doubles from €90 room-only, True fans of gourmet bivalves will know that their flavour changes depending on where they grow, which means you can have fun visiting different areas of France to savour them, whether that be Cancale in Brittany or the Étang de Thau near Montpellier. One of the most enchanting areas to try les huitres is the Bassin d'Arcachon on the coast, an hour's drive west of Bordeaux. On the Cap Ferret peninsula that curls around the bay, you can cycle through the pine forests and villas to oyster farmers' villages such as L'Herbe, where you can buy direct from producers such as Chez Guillaume (half a dozen from €7). Order a platter and a glass of chilled white wine, and swig them back as you admire Europe's tallest sand dune, the Dune de Pilat, across the water. When you're done with the oysters, you can take a surf lesson on the Atlantic coast of Cap Ferret, where the waves crash to shore. Or in the bay, take a boat trip to the Île aux Oiseaux, where the salt marshes are home to 150 species of birds. Nearby, the Cabanes Tchanquées are two cabins on stilts that offer a perfect vantage point of the to stay La Maison du Bassin has doubles from €180 room-only, The Alsatian capital has long been a gourmet hotspot, so much so that the Büchmesser – the belly measurer – was erected opposite the cathedral in 1567 to measure the girth of the city's enthusiastic eaters. See if you can shimmy through the narrow gap between the building and the column on the corner of rue Mercière at the start of your trip, because there's no way you'll fit through it by the end, especially if you indulge in the city's signature dish, choucroute garnie. This plate of fermented cabbage topped by different cuts of pork and sausage is a staple on the menus of the city's traditional wine taverns, or winstubs, with their gingham tablecloths, carved wooden furniture and excellent wine lists, where you can spend a good part of a day enjoying the cosy atmosphere. Among the best is Chez Yvonne (mains from €18.50), which dates from 1873 and later became a favourite of former French president Jacques Chirac, who once invited Boris Yeltsin to dine with him there. For his choucroute, chef Serge Cutillo has carefully chosen each cut of meat from top local butchers. If you want to try a non-pork version, book a table at the ancient restaurant Maison Kammerzell (mains from €20.50), which celebrates its 600th anniversary in 2027 and looks like it comes straight out of a Grimm fairytale. Its speciality is a decadent buttery fish choucroute with halibut, salmon and smoked haddock, which makes a pleasant change from the meat feasts elsewhere, though they serve other versions with meats including confit duck leg (see the Dordogne, below).Where to stay Okko Hotel has doubles from €76 room-only, Dishes using ducks and geese have been a staple in the south-west of France since the middle ages and it became particularly easy to rear the birds after maize was brought to France from the Americas and grew easily in the warm climate of the Dordogne. The best-loved dish is confit de canard, in which the legs of a duck (or goose, oie in French) are salted and then cooked and preserved in their own fat. Once reheated, the tender meat just falls off the bone. It features on menus in bistros and restaurants in the region's villages and towns of honey-coloured stone, such as La Roque-Gageac and Tremolat, where you can find a great version at Le Bistrot de la Place (€28 as part of a three-course meal). The best thing about the dish, though, is that it is easy to take home in tins and jars ready to reheat. Look out for it in the excellent markets at Sarlat-la-Canèda (Wednesday and Saturday) and Issigeac (Sunday). You can also visit producers on their farms; at La Garrigue Haute they serve dishes featuring their carefully reared ducks and geese from early June to late September (three-course menus from €28).Where to stay Hotel Edward Premier in the charming village of Monpazier has doubles from €97 room-only, The city of Nantes has mastered reinvention, with incredible street art installations and Les Machines de L'Île, a cultural project that includes a 12m-high mechanical elephant and ocean-inspired steampunk carousel. Yet its signature cake pays testament to its past as a shipbuilding powerhouse. The city was responsible for building thousands of ships involved in the slave trade, and gâteau nantais, the city's signature cake, is made with ingredients from the Caribbean, such as sugar, vanilla and rum. You can find it in the city's bakeries, including La Petite Boulangerie, where expert baker Franck Dépériers makes an excellent version. Nantes openly acknowledges its part in the slave trade, and you can visit the Memorial of the Abolition of Slavery on the riverside at Quai de la Fosse. There is also a moving exhibition at the Château des ducs de Bretagne, which shows the brutal conditions on the ships. As the name of the chateau suggests, the city also has a historically Breton identity, so it's a good place to tuck into buckwheat galettes and crêpes – there are good ones at both outposts of Le Loup, le Renard et la Galette (mains from €13). The city recently gained another jewel in its culinary crown when the gourmet website La Liste named it Gastronomic Destination of to stay Sōzō Hotel has doubles from €124 room-only, Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion There are three towns in south-west France that claim cassoulet as their signature dish. In Castelnaudary, people proudly tell a charming tale about its invention during a siege in the course of the hundred years war, during which all available ingredients were piled into a pot for a sustaining meal and the enemy was held at bay. They celebrate it with gusto at the Fête du Cassoulet, five days of concerts, parades and eating as much of the stew as you can in the town's squares and market halls during August. The tourist office also has information about the Route du Cassoulet, a 170km loop that allows you to find local restaurants and meet duck producers and the craftspeople who make the essential cassole pot, from which the stew takes its name. It also includes a stop at fellow cassoulet town Carcassonne. At the Toulouse à Table festival (May-November), meanwhile, you can join in with an attempt to set a world record of serving 3,031 individual pots of cassoulet to enthusiastic diners at Le Grand Banquet in the Jardin du Grand Rond park on 17 May. If you'd rather eat your cassoulet in solitude, pick up a pot at the Marché Victor Hugo to take back to your lodgings. Alternatively, take a food tour with Taste of Toulouse or book into one of the many restaurants that serve it. Good versions are available at the sophisticated Le Bibent (€30, other mains from €24) in the city's grand central square Place du Capitole, or the homelier Restaurant Emile (€26 with confit de canard), where the terrasse overlooks the leafy Place to stay The eco-friendly Hotel Albert Premier has doubles from €110 room-only, When you're exploring France's Basque country, you can't miss the strings of chilli peppers hanging in front of restaurants, shops, market stalls and red-and-white timber-framed buildings: this is the piment d'Espelette. Much loved for its gentle heat, it is dried and ground to flavour dishes and products from charcuterie to chocolate, and is used liberally in a local dish called axoa (pronounced ah-cho-ah), a stew of chopped veal, onion and peppers, with a warming smoky-sweet flavour. Try it in the village of Espelette itself, at restaurants like Aintzina, which means 'long ago' in Basque, where it's served with crispy garlic potatoes for extra piquancy (mains from €20). Chefs across France love to sprinkle piment in their dishes, and it's worth taking a jar home to pep up something as simple as scrambled eggs or guacamole. Shops in the village all sell it in powdered form, as well as in jellies, ketchups and sauces, and it's worth visiting the Atelier du Piment on the outskirts to find out more about how it's grown and dried. If you visit in autumn, you'll see flame-red peppers growing on the neat rows of vines and drying on racks before they're ground into to stay The welcoming Hotel Arraya in the village of Sare has doubles from £110 room-only, When you've been skiing or hiking in the mountains, there's no better way to refuel than with a serving of tartiflette. This creamy, oven-baked dish, layered with potato, onion, cheese and bacon, is food for the soul and originates in the Aravis mountains, where it was rather unromantically invented in its modern form in the 1980s to promote its key ingredient, Reblochon cheese (though it is based on an 18th-century dish, péla). The story behind the raw cow's milk cheese, with its soft texture and nutty flavour, is more intriguing. It was first made in the 13th century because, legend has it, mountain-dwelling farmers had to hand over milk to their landlords, and so would not fully milk their cows. They would then do a duplicitous second milking for themselves, with which they'd make the cheese – in old French reblocher means to squeeze an udder again. The resort of Le Grand Bornandis in the heart of the Aravis mountains, and so an ideal place to try it. La Ferme du Pépé (mains from €21.50) is set in a cosy farmhouse that dates from 1800 and is proud of its tartiflette and other Savoyard specialities, including fondue and to stay The cosy Hotel Le Delta has doubles from €110 room-only, Burgundy is where you'll find deeply comforting dishes such as beef bourguignon and oeufs en meurettes. There are also recipes made with its superior breed of chicken, the poulet de Bresse, such as coq au vin. Another chicken dish to try in the regional capital of Dijon combines it with another local speciality – mustard – and bears the name of a former mayor, Gaston Gérard. In 1930, Gérard invited Curnonsky, the leading food critic of the time, to dinner, only for his wife to knock a pot of mustard into the pan. In a swift move of culinary ingenuity, she rescued the dish with the help of some cream, white wine and Comté cheese. Curnonsky then named it after her husband. Thankfully, some restaurants in Dijon return the honour to her on their menus. As you would expect from such rich ingredients, it's quite a wintery dish. Try it at L'Epicerie & Cie in Dijon's lively Place Emile Zola, which serves excellent versions of the Burgundy classic dishes (mains from €15). If you want to pick up a pot of mustard, go to La Moutarderie Edmond Fallot on rue de la to stay Mama Shelter Dijon has doubles from €140 room-only, Amuse Bouche: How to Eat Your Way Around France by Carolyn Boyd is published in paperback by Profile on 8 May at £10.99. To support the Guardian, order your copy at
Irish Examiner
03-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Michelle Darmody: How to bake profiteroles and the mistakes to avoid
A tower of profiteroles, or croquembouche, makes a great centrepiece on any occasion. You can also make a smaller batch and have them at home as a very tasty dessert. Once you know how to make choux pastry you can use it in many ways. There are endless combinations of flavours that can be piped into profiteroles. You can also make elongated eclairs or a Paris-Brest, which has a wreathlike shape and is traditionally filled with a praline mousse. The strong flour is quite important in the recipe as it has a higher gluten content than regular flour. which helps to bind the dough and allows gives a good rise when baking. Making choux pastry does require a bit of elbow grease, as you have to first fold in the flour quite vigorously, then do the same when adding the egg. You can use a food processor, but I prefer to make the pastry by hand as I can keep a close eye on changes in texture and consistency. Once a shine becomes apparent as you are adding the egg you keep beating until the dough comes away completely into a smooth but firm ball. Some recipes recommend milk in place of water, but I find that water works better with the higher oven temperature needed to bake the choux. The higher temperature helps to form a strong shell and prevents the inside of the buns from softening which can cause collapse. Profiteroles recipe by:Michelle Darmody Once you know how to make choux pastry you can use it in many ways Servings 24 Preparation Time 25 mins Cooking Time 20 mins Total Time 45 mins Course Baking Ingredients 50g butter 9g golden caster sugar 150ml water 75g strong flour, sieved 1 large egg, lightly beaten For the filling: 250ml cream 2 tsp maple syrup For the icing: ½ tbsp cocoa powder 10g caster sugar 1½ tbsp water 85g icing sugar 25ml cream, whipped to stiff peaks Method Line a large flat baking tray with parchment. Preheat your oven to 220 °C/gasmark 7. Add the butter, sugar, and water into a saucepan and gently heat until all the ingredients are melted together. Bring the mixture to the boil. Take the saucepan off the heat and stir in the flour. Stir vigorously until combined and the dough starts to come away from the sides of the saucepan. Leave the mixture to cool for five minutes, then add in the egg and beat until you have a glossy mixture that forms a firm dough. Add your dough to a large piping bag with a round nozzle. Splash some water onto the parchment on your baking tray. Pipe 12 circles or oblongs of dough on each tray leaving room for them to rise. Bake in the centre of your oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and make a small slit in each roll as you are placing them onto a wire rack to cool. Whip your cream with the maple syrup until stiff peaks form. To make the chocolate sauce, gently melt cocoa powder, caster sugar and water together. Take them off the heat and stir in the icing sugar. Allow to cool for 20 minutes then fold in the whipped cream. Fill a piping bag with the cream and insert the nozzle into the slit in each profiterole. Pipe in the cream until each roll is full. Spoon the sauce over each profiterole and serve. Baker's tips You need enough egg to form a stiff and shiny dough. I find one large egg sufficient. If you do not have one large egg, one and a half medium eggs should do. You can use the remaining egg to make an egg wash to get a shine on the buns. Beat the egg and after piping the pastry on the tray brush each profiterole with the egg wash. This will give them a golden colour as well as a shine. Splashing the trays with water helps to create steam in your oven to allow a good rise. Alternatively, put an oven-proof bowl of water into the oven as the buns are baking. If you feel that the inside of the profiteroles are a little sticky when you are making the slit in them, you can place them back into a warm oven. Turn the heat off and allow them to dry out for ten or fifteen minutes as you would a meringue. If your profiteroles fall flat, it is usually because the egg has been added to the flour mixture too soon, before it has had a chance to cool sufficiently. Make sure to wait the five minutes before adding the eggs. But even if they collapse, they will puff up when the cream is piped into them When using a piping bag to place the pastry on the tray there is often a little spike on the top of each bun. To ensure a nice round bun. you can wet your finger with some warm water and gently press the spike down before placing them into the oven. You can freeze the unfilled profiteroles. When defrosting, place them on a wire rack to help prevent them from becoming soggy. You can crisp them up in a hot oven for just under ten minutes. If you decide to do this, allow them to cool completely before filling. Once you have filled the buns, it is best to eat them within a few hours as they begin to get soft and squishy. Two delicious variations Custard filled choux buns Cut each profiterole in half and fill with a thick custard. Place the top of the bun onto the custard. Sprinkle some toasted slivered almonds and icing sugar on top. Raspberry cream buns Mash 100g of ripe raspberries with one teaspoon of honey and fold this through stiffly whipped cream. Use this to fill the choux buns. If you want a bit of added glamour, you can make a white chocolate ganache and drizzle it over the buns. I like to sprinkle edible rose petals and some chopped pistachio nuts onto the ganache. To make the ganache melt 150g of white chocolate chips in 150ml of hot cream. Read More Michelle Darmody: How to bake the perfect crisp but squishy custard slice
