Vol Au Vents

[Barmaid]

OK, so I know after the day I have had I shouldn't have tried to cook anything at all.

I've tried making vol au vents from bought puff pastry. Every single time I have done them (3 batches in all), they are uneven. One side rises more than the other. And they are impossible to do anything with.

I've tried doing big ones, small ones and square ones and after the first batch were a disaster I tried cooking them in the ordinary oven rather than the fan oven, but nothing worked.

What the heck am I doing wrong?!

[anneasquith]

making your own?,,,,,,,,,,,,,buy ready made frozen, pop in the oven,

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Is it always the same side of the baking tray that rises?
Do you turn them?

[Psybbo]

And be careful with the egg wash

[Buenchico]

From the BBC website:
"Brush a little beaten egg mixed with a pinch of salt over the top of the cases, making sure not to cover the sides. This would prevent the pastry from rising up evenly".
So are you applying beaten egg to the sides, as well as the tops, perhaps?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/techniques/how_to_shape_and_fill_vol-au-vents

[Barmaid]

No, no beaten egg on the sides. And a little salt (I read that link earlier, Chris).

I suppose I could try turning them half way.

Personally I think vol au vents are a crap idea, but its what bridezilla wants.

[Barmaid]

No MoJo, it isnt the same side. The first lot looked like an explosion in a pastry factory.

[March-Hare]

I am with anneasquith .... buy the frozen ones .................no different if using bought pastry anyway but guaranteed to work ............... and after all it's the quality of the fillings that count :-)

[ferlew]

Get the other half to pop a spirit level on the oven shelf.
If the shelf is level, no way would you have to turn them.
My built in oven was out by about 1mm. Sorted now.

[Psybbo]

Must get some frozen small ones tomorrow, bacon, mushroom, black pepper, cream and whiskey, my favourite filling

[TonyV]

your oven back to front is at different temperure try turning them round half way through cooking

[ferlew]

A fan oven would have no cool spot Tony.

[Barmaid]

Am thinking I might pop to Tescos first thing in the morning and try them.

Mr BM cant get anywhere near the oven atm cos its got 4 pastry cases and a load of savoury scones in.

I'm getting a bit fed up with this wedding lark.

[Barmaid]

Just-rol pre made vol au vent cases (turned half way) work a treat.......

(AND they are only £1.25 more than the bought puff pastry). An extra £1.25 or faff around? I'll pay the money, thanks.

[black_cat51]

i know it's a bit late now, but i find that jusrol pastry is better and more even than any other brand

[jennyjoan]

"I've tried making vol au vents from bought puff pastry. Thought the pastry was "bought" - am I reading it wrong.

[jennyjoan]

What the heck my post is 2 years late. Sorry I was oogling for vol-au-vents fillings and answered LOL