Vol-au-vents are pastry cases that can be filled with just about any filling you want. They come in various sizes from large cases for meals to quite small cases for canapes.

They are very good, although a little naughty because of the pastry. Here is a recipe I came up with a few years ago and it works really well and is also delicious.

Ingredients Olive oil
4 Seasoned chicken breasts ( I sprinkle both sides of the breasts with garlic, paprika and parsley)
1 Onion, chopped finely
1 Clove garlic, crushed
250g Mushrooms, sliced
1 Avocado, chopped
4 large vol-au-vent cases (about 13cm in diameter)

For the sauce

1 Cup milk
11/2 Teaspoons concentrated chicken stock (powder, cubes, paste etc.. My stock is quite dense so adjust quantity for taste with what you use.)
2 Teaspoons cornflour
1/2 Cup dry white wine
1 Teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 Cup light cream
1 Tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Pinch cayenne

Method

Note: I could not get large vol-au-vent cases and used medium ones, they are just too small you can’t fit enough filling in so there is too much pastry. For photo purposes I didn’t overfill, but if this size is all you can get I suggest over stuffing and pouring extra filling and sauce over the top when dishing out. It doesn’t look as pretty but you get a good ratio of filling to pastry and it still tastes delicious. The quantity of filling is for large cases and works well, but is to much for such small cases (hence over stuff). I used 2 cases for myself but gave 3 to my hubby.

1. Heat oil in a pan and add onion and garlic, cook until onion softens, add mushrooms and cook until soft. Set aside.

2. Wipe pan clean and add some more oil add seasoned breasts and cook both sides until cooked through. Remove and chop chicken into chunks. Set to one side.

3. Pour milk in a pan with stock and heat. Add a little water to cornflour mix and pour half of the liquid into the milk, stir until mixture thickens slightly.

4. Add wine, Dijon mustard, cayenne and cream stir to combine, add the rest of the cornflour and stir until mixture thickens. Return mushrooms, onion and chicken to cream mixture, add the thyme and stir. Keep hot until serving.

5. Place vol-au-vent cases on an oven tray. Bake in a moderate oven about 5 Min’s or until heated through.

To serve place cases on plate and spoon filling into them. I served mine with honeyed carrots and buttery garlic spinach.

4 Servings

All photo’s taken by me unless other wise stated.