STUFFEDBABYPUMPKINS,FETA,
GREENSAND PRESERVED LEMON
SERVES 4
4 minipumpkins(weusedgem
pumpkins),topscut off and reserved,
seedsremoved
(^1) / 2 cup(125ml)extravirginolive oil
3 garliccloves,crushed
2 tsproastedfennelseeds
11 / 2 bunchesmixedleaves(weused
rainbowchard,spinachandkale),
stalksremoved,roughlychopped
(^1) / 4 cuplooselypackedmintleavesand
basilleaves,plusextraleavestoserve
5 longgreenshallots,chopped
150gfeta,crumbled
(^1) / 4 cup(40g)roastedpinenuts
2 tbsroastedpumpkinseeds(pepitas)
Finelygratedzestandjuiceof1 lemon
1 preservedlemonquarter,
finelychopped
(^1) / 4 tsp dried chilli flakes (optional)
Preheatovento180°C.Placepumpkinson
a largebakingtray.Placehalftheoilin a
smallbowlwith2 garlicclovesandfennel
seeds.Seasonandwhisktocombine.
Drizzleoilmixtureoverinsideandoutside
ofpumpkins,thenroastfor45-50minutes
oruntilpumpkinsare just soft but still hold
theirshape.
Meanwhile,heata large,deepfrypan
overmedium-highheat.Addremaining
(^1) / 4 cup(60ml)oilandgarlic,andcook,
stirring,for1-2minutes.Stirin leaves,
herbsandshallot,andcookfor
3-4minutesoruntilleavesarewilted.
Transfertoa largeheatproofbowltocool
slightly.Stirin feta,pinenuts,pepitas,
lemonzestandjuice,preservedlemon
andchilliif using.Seasontotaste.
Fillpumpkinswithherbmixture.Top
withreservedlidsandroastfor 10 minutes.
Scatter with extra herbs to serve.
PUMPKIN& CHOCOLATE ECLAIRS
SERVES 12
100gunsaltedbutter, chopped
(^1) / 3 cup(80ml)milk
1 tspcastersugar
110gplain flour, sifted
3 eggs
1 tbsrunnyhoney
2 tbs pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
PUMPKINPASTRY CREAM
5 eggyolks
125gcastersugar
25gplainflour
80groastedpumpkinpuree
1 cup(250ml)pure(thin)cream
(^1) / 2 tspgroundcinnamon
1 tspvanillabeanpaste
11 / 2 titanium-strength gelatine leaves
50g mascarpone
CHOCOLATETOPPING
200gdark(70%)chocolate,chopped
(^3) / 4 cup180mlpure(thin) cream
1 tsp glucose syrup
Combine100mlwater,80gbutter,milk
andsugarina mediumsaucepanover
mediumheatandgentlybringtotheboil.
Oncebutteris melted,reduceheattolow.
Stirin theflourandcook,beating,for
2-3minutes(flourmixtureshouldbe
smoothandcomeawayfromsideofpan).
Standtocoolslightly,thentransfertoa
standmixerfittedwithwhiskattachment
andgraduallywhiskin theeggs,1 at a
time,untilcompletelyincorporated and
batteris smoothandglossy.
Preheatovento180°C.Grease
2 largebakingtrays.Placebatterintoa
pipingbagfittedwitha 1cmplainnozzle
andpipetwelve12cm-longeclairs,6 to
a tray and at least 4cm apart. Bake for
20-25minutesoruntilpuffedanda crust
formsontheoutside.Removefromoven
andpierceedgewitha smallsharpknife
toallowsteamtoescape.Rest on a wire
racktocoolcompletely.
Meanwhile,forthepastrycream,whisk
eggyolks,sugar,flourandpumpkinpuree
in a largebowluntilwellcombined.Place
cream,cinnamonandvanillain a medium
saucepanoverhighheat.Bringjusttothe
boilandremoveimmediatelyfromthe
heat.Pouroverpumpkinmixture,whisking
constantlyuntilcombined.Returnpumpkin
mixturetopanandplaceoverlowheat.
Soakgelatineleavesin coldwaterfor
5 minutestosoften.Cookpastrycream,
stirringcontinuously,for5-6minutesor
untilit thickens.Squeezeexcesswater
fromgelatineandstirintopastrycream
untilmelted.Transfertoa smallbowland
coversurfacedirectlywithplasticwrap.
Oncecooled,whisktoloosenslightly,then
foldin themascarpone.Placepureeinto
a pipingbagfittedwitha 8mmstarnozzle.
Meanwhile,tomakethecandied
pepitas,lightlygreasea heatprooftray.
Placehoneyandremaining20gbutterin
a non-stickfrypanovermediumheatand
cook,swirlingthepan,for3-4minutesor
untila lightcaramel.Addpepitasandswirl
tocoat,thenpourontoprepared tray and
setasidetocoolcompletely.
Forthechocolatetopping,placethe
chocolateina bowl.Placecreamand
glucosein a smallsaucepanovermedium
heatandbringtojustbelowtheboil.
Pourcreammixtureoverchocolate
andstiruntilmelted.Cooltoroom
temperature.Dipthetopsoftheeclairs
in thechocolate,allowingexcesstodrip
off.Setasideona traytosoftlyset.
Cuttheeclairsin halfhorizontallyand
pipepastrycreamoverbases.Topwith
chocolate-coveredhalvesandscatter
with pepitas and salt flakes to serve.
DARREN ROBERTSON.
62 delicious.com.au