Chocolate praline Paris-Brest

There are a few different elements to this dish, but the majority of them can be made in advance and stored in the fridge or an airtight container, so plan accordingly

Begin with the choux paste. Add the milk, water, butter, sugar and salt to a pan and gently bring to the boil. Tip in the flour and cocoa powder, then remove from the heat and mix well to combine

Place the pan back over a low heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture begins to come away from the sides of the pan. Transfer to a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, then with the motor running, gradually add the eggs one by one, ensuring each one is fully incorporated before adding the next

Transfer the dough to a piping bag with a plain nozzle and leave to rest at room temperature for 1-2 hours

Meanwhile, make the praline cream. Place the milk and praline paste in a pan and gently bring to the boil. Meanwhile, whisk the sugar, egg yolks and custard powder together until pale and frothy. Once the milk is boiling, pour a small amount of it into the egg mixture and whisk well. Continue pouring in a little of the milk, whisking constantly, until the mixture is fully combined

Return the mixture to the pan and gently simmer, whisking regularly, until you have a thick custard. Drain the gelatine, whisk into the custard to dissolve, then pass through a fine sieve into a clean bowl. Cover the surface with cling film to prevent a skin from forming, then place in the fridge to chill

To make the caramel hazelnuts, melt the sugar in a pan, swirling rather than stirring, until melted into a pale caramel. Add the hazelnuts, followed by the butter, then mix well. Pour the mixture out onto a tray lined with baking paper and leave to cool and harden. Once cool, cut the hazelnuts in half

To make the chocolate cremeux, melt the milk and dark chocolates together. Meanwhile, bring the milk and cream to the boil and whisk together the sugar and egg yolk. Pour a little of the boiling milk into the eggs and whisk well, then gradually add the rest whilst constantly whisking. Return the mixture back to the pan and gently heat until it reaches 85°C, then remove from the heat and whisk in the soaked gelatine

Pass the custard through a fine sieve and gradually fold into the melted chocolate. Cover with cling film and leave to cool completely, then transfer to a piping bag and reserve in the fridge

Make the croustillant by mixing all the ingredients together into a smooth paste. Roll this paste out between 2 sheets of baking paper as thinly as possible (around 1mm), then transfer to the fridge to set

By now the praline cream should have chilled. Transfer it to a stand mixer with a whisk attached and whisk it slightly to soften it up. With the motor still running, gradually pour in the double cream, mixing until just combined. Transfer to a piping bag with a star nozzle and reserve in the fridge

To make the praline crunch, melt the chocolate and praline paste together. Mix in the feuilletine, then set aside at room temperature

You are now ready to cook and assemble the dish. Preheat an oven to 160°C/gas mark 2

Pipe blobs of the choux pastry into 6 separate circles (around 10cm in diameter) onto a tray lined with baking paper (or several trays, depending on how big they are). Stamp out 6 circles of the croustillant slightly smaller than the circles and gently place them on top. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes

Remove the choux from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Cut each choux in half horizontally. Spread the praline crunch on the bottom half of each choux, then pipe the praline cream on top of the crunch all the way around the ring

On the lids, pipe dots of the chocolate cremeux, then decorate with the caramelised hazelnuts and mint leaves. Gently place the lids on top of the praline cream and serve