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Friday, July 23, 2010

Singing In The Rain



Many years back a closed friend invited me to see the musical "Singing in the Rain" staged at the newly completed Esplanade Theatre in Singapore. I was so amazed with the dancing, singing and especially the rain they managed to make pouring thoroughly on the stage while the actor was singing and dancing.



As mesmerized as I was to the stage musical, I went directly to look for the DVD and it was hard to find since it was a classic. After a long search I finally got it and enjoyed the movie very much. Replaying the movie a few times, I had grown to like Gene Kelly, the acrobatic dancer-singer-star-choreographer.



"Singing in the Rain" was directed by Gene Kelly himself and Stanley Donen and released in the year 1952 by MGM. This joyous film is very charming, up-beat, and a completely entertaining experience with great songs, lots of flashbacks, wonderful dances, casting and story. No wonder I didn't stop there and continued to get "An American in Paris", another Gene Kelly's movie.



As the rain season is back in Bangkok, and the rain is in fact pouring heavily as I am typing this post, flashbacks of "Singing in the Rain" scenes came back like an unexpected returning good friend and I suddenly long to see that movie again.

CHOUX SQUARES
Need 2 baking trays lined with baking paper.



Ingredients:
- All purpose flour - sift > 75 grams
- Salt > ½ teaspoon
- Granulated sugar > 8 grams
- Milk > 65 ml
- Water > 60 ml
- Salted butter > 50 grams
- Eggs – beat moderately > 1.5
- Fruit slices and balls > as desired
- Orange sauce or chocolate sauce > as desired
- Icing sugar > for dusting



Method:
- Combine sifted flour and sugar. Leave aside.
- Heat water, milk, and butter in a pan until butter is completely melted. Bring to boil.
- Remove from fire immediately. Pour flour and sugar mixture into the boiled milk mixture.
- Stir mixture until forming a paste that leaves the sides of the pan clean. Leave to cool for 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven at 200C.
- Fold eggs into paste in a few additions while beating in slow speed.



- When the whole eggs are added, change speed to high and beat until paste becomes smooth and glossy.
- Fill paste into the piping bag fitted with a small plain nozzle. Pipe a square outline with the length of 2.5 inch, then continue to pipe cris-cros diagonal lines inside the hollow square outline.
- Bake at 200C for 5 minutes. Reduce temperature to 180 degree Celsius and bake for another 5-10 minutes until choux is cooked and golden brown.
- Cool on wire rack.
- Dust choux squares with icing sugar.
- Serve with strawberries, mango balls, kiwis or other fruits. Drizzle with orange sauce or chocolate sauce.

19 comments:

  1. I watched Singing in the Rain on TV but that was long time ago.
    Love your dessert and your pictures are always so beautiful and sharp. I really think I need a DSLR camera soon.

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  2. Kris,
    What a beautifully delicate little pastry! A refreshing dessert! I wish it would rain here...we need it! I think I'll order "Singing in the Rain" from Netflix:)

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  3. Oooh...I love the show 'Singing n the Rain'. It just makes you smile. I must watch it again. I have the DVD. Love your dessert....just fabulous...mmmm

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  4. What a pretty dessert! So fresh, fruity and delicious. I love those choux squares. Great idea!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  5. This is such a creative use of choux pastry! It looks so pretty!
    I have seen "Singing in the Rain" more times than I can count. It was one of my favourite films as a child.

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  6. Such a fabulous, simple but elegant dessert!

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  7. What a unique use of choux paste! And the fresh fruit looks light and refreshing. Beautiful.

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  8. This introduction is very interesting and unexpected. It's good :) Pics are fabulous.

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  9. Oh, the wonders you do with pate a choux!!! I love Singing in the Rain as well--I used to tap dance when I was younger and knew the choreography!

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  10. I remember my father used to tap out Gene Kelly's Singing in the Rain to make us laugh when it rained. Then he started doing it when I had friends over and was a little older..preteen..embarrassing LOL However, now I appreciate how fun he was/is, although he can no longer tap as fast LOL

    That said, what a brilliant idea to pipe choux paste into a grid then serve on top of all that lovely fruit. Beautiful..gorgeous..stunning as always. Mind if I borrow the idea? :)

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  11. Ive never seen Dancing In The Rain but it sounds like a good movie to bring on a little cooking inspiration! This has to be the most beautiful fruit and pastry arrangement!! and I never have baked pate a choux like that but its genius!

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  12. Singing in the Rain is definitely a classic and whenever I think of Gene Kelly, this show comes to mind. I must have been lovely to watched a version of it come alive on theater.

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  13. GORGEOUS BRILLIANT STUNNING... there aren't enough adjectives. They're so elegant and delicate looking. I'll be making these soon!

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  14. What adorable lattice choux squares! And so perfect with fruit.
    Lovely photography as usual, Kris.
    Gene Kelly is an old favorite. As is Fred Astaire. Recently, via Netflix, I have re-veiwed all those wonderful old musicals.

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  15. The choux squares are amazing - what a fabulous idea. (P.S. Love your photography - but you knew that already :P )

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  16. This looks stunning! So perfect for Summer! I actually just saw "An American in Paris".

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  17. Wow, really creative recipe, I've printed it out to use next summer. Thanks from Singing In The Rain Tickets London for this post.

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