the Breville Test Kitchen
Lobster Thermidor Vol-au-vents

the Smart Oven® Air Fryer Pro
1 hr 30 mins total time
30 mins active time
Medium
Serves 2
Ingredients
Measurements:
Cooking spray
1 sheet frozen puff pastryjust thawed, approx 9¾-inches x 13¾-inches
1 large egglightly beaten
4 oz baby bella mushroomscut into ½-inch pieces
2 eschalotsfinely chopped
¾ tsp kosher salt
2 tbsp olive oil
4 oz raw lobster meatcut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp brandy
⅓ cup (2¾ fl oz) heavy cream
1 large egg yolk
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
¼ tsp smoked paprika
Pinch cayenne pepper
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh tarragonplus extra leaves to serve
2 tsp finely grated lemon zestplus extra to serve
Instructions
- 1
Spray the pizza pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- 2
Place the pastry on a tray and brush with the egg. Using a 3¼-inch round cookie cutter, cut the pastry into 12 rounds. Using a 2½-inch round cookie cutter, cut out the inner circles from 10 of the rounds to create rings. Using a fork, dock the 2 remaining rounds. Remove and discard the excess pastry. If the pastry becomes too soft, place it in the fridge to firm up.
- 3
Place the 2 rounds on the prepared pan and top each round with 5 pastry rings. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- 4
Insert the wire rack into position 7. Select Phase Cook for P1 and set the oven to Bake, Convection, 350°F, for 13 minutes. Press Confirm for P2 and set the oven to Bake, No Fan, 350°F, for 24 minutes and press Start to preheat.
- 5
Once preheated, place in the oven and bake for 13 minutes in P1. The oven will automatically switch to P2. The pastry should be golden and crisp.
- 6
Adjust the oven to Air Fry, Super Convection, 400°F for 10 minutes, enable Rotate Remind and press Start. Meanwhile, place the mushrooms, eschalots, salt and oil in a large bowl and mix to combine. Transfer to the roasting pan.
- 7
Once preheated, place the mushroom mixture in the oven and cook for 10 minutes. When the Rotate Remind signals, stir in the lobster and continue cooking.
- 8
Add the brandy to the pan to deglaze, then add the cream and stir to combine. Remove from the oven. Stir in the egg yolk, mustard, paprika, cayenne pepper, tarragon and lemon zest.
- 9
Adjust the oven to Bake, No Fan, 350°F for 5 minutes and press Start.
- 10
Spoon the filling into the vol-au-vent cases. Once preheated, return to the oven and cook until the filling is hot.
- 11
Serve the vol-au-vents garnished with tarragon and lemon zest.
Tip: Use the best quality puff pastry you can find. A local bakery often sells fresh puff pastry.