Italian Profiteroles: An Irresistible Dessert
Italian profiteroles, also known as "Bigne," are small cream-filled pastries that are incredibly popular in Italy. One of the most popular ways to serve them is drizzled with warm chocolate sauce, creating a delightful contrast with the cold cream. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, order the profiteroles from our Italian menu. They are the perfect light bite you’ve been searching for this summer. Check out our menu.
The History of Profiteroles: Italian or French?
The origin of profiteroles dates back to the Renaissance era in Italy, where many chefs began experimenting with new pastry recipes. However, the name "profiterole" comes from the French word "profit," meaning benefit or gain, referring to the small size of the pastry.
Originally referred to as "pâte à chaud" or "hot dough," profiteroles were introduced to the French court during the reign of King Henry II and Catherine de' Medici of France by their Italian personal chef, Popelini.
Catherine de' Medici played a key role in the development of French cuisine, shaping it into what we know today. She went down in history for bringing Italian chefs to France, believing that French cuisine lacked refinement. The French quickly adopted profiteroles into their gastronomy, transforming them into the delicious dessert we know today by adding cream and chocolate sauce.
The dessert gained popularity in France due to its ease of preparation, delicious taste, and visual appeal. Thus, the connection between profiteroles and Italian cuisine is undeniable.
The Italian Recipe
Profiteroles are a classic dessert made with choux pastry filled with whipped cream or custard and topped with chocolate sauce.
What is Choux Pastry?
To make profiteroles, you first need to prepare choux pastry. This involves boiling water with butter in a saucepan, adding flour, and stirring vigorously until a smooth dough forms. Once cooled, eggs are added to create a soft and glossy dough. The profiteroles are then baked until golden and crispy on the outside and hollow on the inside.
The Filling
Once the profiteroles have cooled, they are filled with rich whipped cream and finally drizzled with chocolate sauce. The combination creates an explosion of flavours, blending the sweetness of the cream with the bitterness of the chocolate.
World Profiterole Day
People love celebrations, and even the humble profiterole has a dedicated day. Every 2nd of January, we honour this delightful bite of cream and chocolate. Will you come and try them at Rossini? We look forward to seeing you!
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