Tuesday 13 January 2009

Just peachy

A Pithivier is a French pastry or pie with an almond frangipane filling, very similar in fact to a British Bakewell tart. Although it looks plain from the outside it contains a filling that is sticky, sweet, nutty and altogether delicious.

There are plenty of variations on the recipe both sweet and savoury, my own twist was to add peaches both for colour and to cut the richness of the frangipane. I was slightly worried that the juice from the peaches would turn my pastry into a soggy mess but I needn't have worried. The peaches worked brilliantly with the almond filling, my only regret is that I didn't add more!
I used this recipe by Wolfgang Puck as a guide, I simply added tinned sliced peaches (in the summer I would use fresh) in between layers of frangipane filling.

15 comments:

Amanda said...

That's one beautiful, mouth-watering tart! Well done, Sam.

I must go find me some peaches in pastry! Mmm...

Anonymous said...

Hi, it's Kirsty from Yum Scrumptious. Just wanted to say hi and check out your blog!
Thanks for stopping by mine (I commented back, but I dont know if you get notified!)
Your food looks amazing - do you work as a chef? x

Maggie said...

Beautifully executed pastry work Sam!

Sam said...

Amanda: Thanks, it was delicious!

Kirsty: Hi Kirsty, thanks for stopping by, I don't work as a chef yet but it's what I want to do eventually, it's the dream!

Margaret: Thanks Margaret!

Anne said...

You are a naughty man Sam! Here I am trying to be healthy and good this month and you post a eat-me-now recipe!

Looks great, bet you enjoyed every morsel of it :)

Anonymous said...

I'm sure it tasted lovely, but I have to say that it looks absolutely gorgeous! Nice one, Sam.

Andrea said...

Wow, that is really really gorgeous. I could really go for something with peach in it right now since the weather is so miserable and I'm already tired or root vegetables!

Beth (jamandcream) said...

I love peaches. This looks a must try

Mike of Mike's Table said...

Looks plain? Nothing of the sort--that looks like a real beauty of a dessert! I have yet to try frangipane, but I'd love to have this

Anonymous said...

I love almond and peaches. Your pastry looks beautiful and delicious (I agree with Kirsty - looks like professional pastry work!). I think I have some frozen peaches in the freezer...

Hopie said...

Wow, adding peaches is a brilliant idea! Must've been delicious.

Joie de vivre said...

Just gorgeous Sam. Top notch!

Katie said...

Oh yum it looks fab. I have always wanted to try one of these. Lovely thick layer of almond.

Alicia Foodycat said...

So much nicer than a Bakewell tart though! Gorgeous! The peach addition is genius.

The Caked Crusader said...

I've yet to make a pithivier (and yet to pronounce it properly too).
Yours has come out fab