TV Break

Check out this fantastic video of my pastry chef Michael Laiskonis on In the Loop with iVillage Live. He's making a sweet potato tart and his (incredible) signature eggs.

http://video.ivillagelive.com/player/?id=166494

PHOTO CREDIT: Noah Sunderman

Sweet Potato Tart recipe

It may look like a lot of work...but I guarantee these are worth it!

PHOTO CREDIT: Noah Sunderman

The 'Egg'
Yields: 6 servings

Egg Shells

6 large brown eggs

Caramel Custard Foam

5 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup whole milk

2 large egg yolks

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 sheet gelatin, softened and squeezed of excess moisture

Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup whole milk

1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped

1/2 cinnamon stick, lightly toasted and crushed

2 large egg yolks

5 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped

Caramel Sauce

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Assembly

Maple syrup

Maldon sea salt

Egg Shells
1. Carefully remove tops from eggs, reserving contents for another use. Keep the bottom half of the fiber-board egg carton for baking. Do not use styrofoam!

2. Rinse empty shells in very hot water, and carefully remove the remaining membrane. Allow shells to dry.

Caramel Custard Foam

1. In a small saucepan, combine the five tablespoons of sugar and water and cook to a dark caramel. Meanwhile, combine cream, half and half, and milk, and heat just until warm. When the caramel reaches a medium brown color, add warmed cream mixture. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, making sure all caramelized sugar is dissolved. Meanwhile, combine and whisk egg yolks and remaining sugar. Temper hot cream into egg yolks (beat the yolks and add a little of the cream at a time). Return to medium-low heat and cook, constantly stirring, until mixture is slightly thickened. Remove from heat, whisk in gelatin and strain through a fine mesh sieve. Chill in an ice water bath. Refrigerate until well-chilled.

2. Transfer custard to whipped cream siphon and assemble according to manufacturer's instructions. Reserve in refrigerator until assembly.

Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee
1. Preheat oven to 350? F. Combine cream, milk, and vanilla in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, combine and whisk egg yolks and sugar. Remove scalded cream mixture from heat and whisk in milk chocolate, until thoroughly incorporated. Temper mixture into egg yolks and strain through a fine mesh sieve.

2. Place egg shells right side up in their carton, and place in a two-inch hotel pan (a rectangular stainless steel pan). Carefully divide milk chocolate custard evenly among egg shells, approximately one ounce, or about half way.

3. Fill hotel pan with hot water, just until water reaches half way up the egg carton, just before the egg shells begin to float. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until custard is set. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Caramel Sauce

1. Combine sugar and water in a small covered saucepan. Cook to a medium amber color. Meanwhile, gently heat cream until warm. Remove caramelized sugar from heat and add cream. Return to low heat to completely dissolve sugar.

2. Remove from heat and emulsify butter into the caramel. Keep warm.

Assembly

1. Transfer cooled egg shells to twelve porcelain egg cups.

2. With a small spoon or squeeze bottle, pour a very thin layer of caramel sauce into egg shell, over the chocolate custard.

3. Fill the remainder of the shell with the caramel foam.4. Drizzle a few drops of maple syrup on top of the foam, and sprinkle each egg shell with a few grains of Maldon sea salt. Serve immediately.

Special Equipment Needed: Egg top cutter , One-pint whipped cream siphon, Porcelain egg cups

OR you could just dine at Le Bernardin to sample the creations we make daily...


See more of the Pastry Princess' dessert recipes!

gilded fork, dessert, recipe, pastry, princess, Monica Glass, chef