Thursday, June 30, 2011

Chocolate Ganache Pocket Pies and Letting Go


I've never met a kitchen store I didn't like.  Those stores just lure you in with their shiny displays of gadgets, products and what haves.  I'll walk past the front of the store with nary an intention of stopping; then I'm grabbed by some invisible force and sucked in.  Why is it I feel compelled to ooh and aah over the new gadgets that I don't yet own?

Besides, can one ever have too many peelers, presses, cookie cutters, sprinkles, and whooz-its?  The answer happens to be"yes".  When you spend an hour looking through a drawer to find that one gadget you know you own, it just may be fine time to scale back the collection.

I've been going through my kitchen trying to decide what stays and what goes.  During my cleaning spree, I spied a sad and lonely overflowing basket of cutters.  I knew I should probably part with at least a few of them.


One of those must keep items was a heart shaped pocket pie mold I just had to have because it was so cute. Besides my daughter did adore the Chocolate Ganache Pocket Pies I made for her with them.  Good enough reason to leave it in the keep pile I figured.  (I'm a real tough sell, aren't I?)

There is also the interpretive cookie dance idea that has been swirling around in my head for some time, "Lord of the Cookie Dance".  Although it might be too hard to capture with my camera, I just may have to act that one out for you.


These pocket pies are a simple yet decadent treat.  Perfect for when you are just not ready to let go.  I couldn't do it; I couldn't part with any of my beloved cutters.  Maybe it's because college girl is home and I'm already dreading her departure again, but I'm just not ready to let go yet.

Chocolate Ganache Pocket Pies
1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 cup chopped dark chocolate
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg
2 teaspoons water
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
Coarse sparkling sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Lay out the sheets of puff pastry and smooth the seams with a rolling pin.  I like to place them on a sheet of freezer paper with just a sprinkling of flour.  Cut out heart shapes.  You could make them any shape you want and a regular cookie cutter will work just fine too.

Beat together the egg and water.  Set aside.

Heat the cream on the stove in a small pan until boiling.  Place the chopped chocolate in a bowl and slowly pour the cream over it and whisk until smooth, add butter and whisk until combined.

Place a small amount of the ganache in the center of a heart shaped cutout.  Paint the edges with egg wash and place another heart shape on top and press to seal.  Paint the tops with egg wash and sprinkle with sparkling sugar.  Cut out an X or a hole for venting.

Place pies on baking sheet lined with a silpat or parchment and bake in 400 degree F oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Combine the powdered sugar and milk and drizzle over slightly cooled pies.

Makes 6 large pies.


Hope all of you enjoy the holiday weekend; there are lots of fun things planned for this weekend over here, including a "Macaron Baking Party" with blogging friends.

Enjoy,

Gina

31 comments:

  1. Oh Gina, I have this pie mold too! I LOVE it. It's so cute and makes a wow factor to my guests.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have that same problem as you - I vow before I leave the house that I am not going to get sucked in and buy some cooking gadget, but I can't help myself. The pocket pies look amazing. And now I want to buy that mold!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love kitchen stores also and can browse for hours! These pies look quite yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think I would go even crazier with kitchen gadgets if I bake. So many baking goods in the US - amazing! And the kitchen tools... We have a small kitchen in Japan and I am still amazed to find interesting gadgets that we have here. Your chocolate ganache pocket pies are so cute!!! I'm so weak for those flaky delicious pies. Have a great and fun weekend Gina!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am missing a pie mold. Something I will have to keep my eye out for next time I get sucked into a kitchen store. I have about 200 cookie cutters to prove it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh Gina... Those look SO good! I wish I had one of those, where did you find that pocket pie cutter?

    ReplyDelete
  7. OMG these look amazing!! And look at that stunning collection of cookie cutters!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gina, I thought I'm the only one that has overflowing drawers with cookie cutters, couple of veggie peelers and lots of corn holders never found when we have corn on the con.
    I've been meaning to clean my cabinets and drawers for a while now, just can'tlet go.

    Your heart shape pie cutters are so cute! Now I want some too!!
    The photos are amazing!!! Wow

    ReplyDelete
  9. These are ADORABLE, and I love anything made w/puff pastry! Have a happy July 4th, Gina!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very cute pie cutter. I am always so tempted by kitchen stores and I usually come away with some type of gadget. I figure if this is my only vice then I am in good shape. Storage is another question though.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I want this pie thingy! It's so cute!

    I nearly forgot I was supposed to make heart shaped cookies tomorrow.

    I've never made pocket pies before but they're definitely singing my song!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gina, the pie mould looks great, but the pie is even better!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Holy cookie cutters, girl! But I am a sucker for interesting kitchen gadgets too. And the pies look amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I can see why your gadgets make you want to dance. I'm in love with your weenie dog cookie cutter! Great pies, darling :) So cuto! Buzzed

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Gina, oh no not another gadget I need to go out and buy,lol! I have so many cookie cutters, that I never use(!) that I keep them in a box under the house, now that's a convenient storage spot;-) The chocolate pocket pies are sure cute and I know my family would love these too;-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just love kitchen gadgets too! I love the pocket pie recipe--so adorable in the heart shape!

    Have a Happy 4th!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ehehehe...I cannot be trusted in the kitchen store. ;) Beautiful pockets.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Happy Weekend! Fun Cooking! Kate

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love these sweet pockets! Wish I lived closer so I could come to your macaron party and can't wait to see the Lord of the Cookie Dance :) Have a fabulous holiday weekend, Gina!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am just like you. And my husband is my voice of reason. He walks around the store behind me asking 'do you WANT that or NEED that?' LOL :D Love the pocket pie! :) Thanks for sharing, Gina, and have fabulous long weekend! Happy 4 of July! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. When my Nonna moved to a much smaller residance...Mom and I got the bulk of all gadgets you can think of. Sadly, they're still in a box and yet not inspired to rummage through. My fear is that I would have to let go my gadgets to make place for hers...and yes...tons of cookie cutters too! LOL

    Chocolate pockets by the dozen please...here's my address ####...send them my way soon. LOL

    Have a great weekend Gina and flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  22. I couldn't handle getting rid of any of my kitchen stuff. I used to do it and then a year or so later, I'd be wishing that I had the item I'd gotten rid of. It's just not worth it. Better to just move into a bigger place. :)

    Your pocket pies look fantastic. I'll fill mine with fruit, but yummmmmm!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Pocket "ganache" pies??? Oh MY!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm such a cookie cutter junkie too. I'm hoping to get a Crate & Barrel gift card for my birthday so I can buy more gadgets, like that pocket pie mold. Love your heart pies!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Who could resist these??? Not I! Another gadget to put on my shopping list :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I completely agree with your opinion on kitchen stores, Nami and I have been out of control lately with ice cream machine, popsicle machine, and coffee grinder.... LOL

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have an addiction to kitchen stores; there is always something that I think I need; right now I am into mini anything. your cookie cutters would fit right in.
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
  28. That is too funny with the gadgets. My Mum is the person who buys all these things but she doesn't even cook! She passes them on to me in the end and most of them don't even work. ALTHOUGH, I do love the look of your pie mold - and look at the result. Love the wee hole, too - just to give us an idea of what yumminess is inside. Great idea with a lovely basket for the cutters. I need to do something about my gadget junk drawer!

    ReplyDelete
  29. You are too funny! We have so many kitchen gadgets that they don't all fit in one drawer. We have some sitting on the counter in a juice pitcher. We need to "let go" of a lot of kitchen stuff Your heart mold is so cute, though.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Those sound so yummy! Now my mouth is watering. And, I too am a "kitchen gadget whore". In fact I was drooling in the aisles just yesterday... but managed to control myself... this time.
    (BTW, found you through Jacob's Kitchen - check out my Gumbo YaYa blog, if you'd like)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh these are just gorgeous! I would love to have one with my coffee right about now :)

    ReplyDelete