Fantastic Mr. Fox:
Apple Turnovers
Recipe:
566.99 g (~2.5 sheets) puff pastry thawed according to package instructions
1.25 Tbsp all-purpose flour for dusting
708.74 g Granny Smith apples (4 medium) peeled, cored and diced into 1/3" thick pieces
1.25 Tbsp unsalted butter
68.75 g brown sugar lightly packed
0.63 tsp ground cinnamon
0.16 tsp salt
1.25 egg+ 1.25 Tbsp water for egg wash
Method:
Preheat Oven to 200˚C. Remove puff pastry from the freezer and thaw according to instructions while making and cooling the apple filling.
In a medium pot, melt 1 Tbsp butter over medium heat. Add diced apples and cook, stirring occasionally until softened (5 min).
Reduce heat to low and stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and salt. Continue to simmer 3 minutes until apples are soft and caramelised. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Use a rolling pin to roll the first sheet of thawed pastry to an 28cm square. With a pizza cutter, cut into 4 equal-sized squares. Place cooled apple mixture over half of each square, leaving at least a 1cm border.
Thoroughly Beat together 1 egg and 1 Tbsp water. Brush egg-wash lightly on edges of the pastry (just enough to seal), bring the edges together and crimp tightly along the edges with a fork to seal. Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the second sheet of puff pastry to make 8 turnovers.
Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, keeping them at least 2.5cm apart. With a paring knife, cut 2-3 small slits in the top of each turnover. Brush the tops with egg wash and bake 20-23 minutes or until golden and puffed.
While turnovers are still warm, stir together powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream (adding to your desired consistency) and drizzle glaze over turnovers.
History of Apple Turnovers
Turnovers, categorised as "portable pies", was introduced during ancient times, with fillings typically with fruits like apples, blueberries, and cherries, vegetables such as sweet potatoes. As well as other savoury ingredients like cheese or meats like chicken, beef and pork.
According to legend, in 1630, Saint Calais of the Sarthe region of France, apple turnovers were invented when an epidemic has spread. To ease the suffering, the lady of the town supplied the victims of the epidemic with flour and apples- resulting in apple turnovers, or Chausson aux Pommes.
This event- Fete du Chausson aux Pommes has been celebrated in the still-existing town each year at the start of September in Saint Calais.