choux pastry, keep mixing while waiting for the roux to cool?
I made some choux pastry last night, however it didn't come out quite right for what could be various reasons.
After making the recipe, I came on here loking for some tips and came across this:
Choux pastry (Chocolate eclairs) doesn't rise
In here @Aaronut suggests waiting for the roux to cool to below 65° C. One of the issues with my choux pastry was that it tasted rather eggy and salty, so while the mixture didn't look like it scrambled (though i'm not sure how that might look), the taste suggests it might have.
While waiting for the temperature to come down, should I continue mixing the roux in my stand mixer or let it sit?
Best Answer
I don't mix my pre-egg mass (not sure that roux is the right word here), but I don't have a stand mixer. Leaving it alone works just fine as long as it is uniformly cooled. If you don't mix (or even if you do) make sure to check the temperature in the middle of the lump of dough, not on the outside.
As SAJ14SAJ mentioned, mixing it will expose all parts to the cooling air, letting it cool quicker. If this matters for you, there is nothing wrong with mixing. It may change the texture slightly in the direction of slightly chewier end product due to some gluten creation, but the difference won't be very pronounced and may not be noticeable at all, because the flour is well coated in fat.
So, the conclusion: you don't have to mix, but you can if you want to. No harm done either way, and it can go quicker with mixing.
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Why does choux pastry go runny?
If the choux pastry is thin and runny: A thin mixture means that you have added too much liquid, or that your eggs might be too large. Add the eggs one at a time: When you are adding the eggs to the mixture, beat each egg until it is thoroughly combined into the mixture before adding the next egg.Can you over mix choux?
Keep in mind, there is a limit to the size of your choux pastry. Make it too large and it will be too heavy. The delicate dough won't be able to hold onto its own weight and might collapse. Or, the puff might not puff up enough due to all the weight pushing it down.Can you overwork choux pastry?
You want to develop the gluten so that you have light pastry, but you also don't want to overwork it, so when it comes away from the sides, you can stop beating. 6. Add the eggs one at a time. It may look like the mixture is separating, but stick with it and it will turn into a thick glossy paste.Why is my choux pastry raw inside?
This happens if you added too much eggs, OR you didn't cook the dough long enough, and have too much water in your dough. Whatever you do, NEVER ADD EXTRA FLOUR!Science behind perfect choux pastry /how to make choux pastry
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Answer 2
Yes, before incorporating the eggs, you would let the mixer continue to run on low until the dough is sufficiently cooled. The main reason for this is that it will help speed the cooling, and to ensure that the entire volume of dough is cooled.
If the eggs were to curdle or scramble when you incorporate them, it is due to at least some part of the dough not being sufficiently cooled.
However, this doesn't sound like the core of your issue. I am not sure why you think tasting "eggy and salty" would be related to this. Egginess is from... the number of eggs. Saltiness is from the amount of salt.
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