Elder Care in Columbia PA

There is nothing like a sweet indulgence to bring a bright spot to your usual elder care routine, and while you never need and excuse to treat your aging loved ones to something special, National Chocolate Éclair Day on June 22 is a fantastic reason to indulge a little.

This recipe takes some time and effort, so it is the perfect activity to do with a senior who loves to bake. Make extras and leave some for their elderly health care services provider to enjoy during their care day with your parents.

What You’ll Need

• 2 cups milk

• 1/2 vanilla bean

• 4 whole eggs plus 6 egg yolks

• 2/3 cup plus 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

• 1/4 cup cornstarch

• 8 tablespoons butter

• 1 cup plus 1 1/2 teaspoons water

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup flour

• 1/2 heavy cream

• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate

• Sharp knife

• Medium saucepan

• Whisk

• Strainer

• Plastic wrap

• Sheet pan

• Parchment paper

• Wooden spoon

• Mixer with paddle attachment

• Pastry bag

• Circle tip

• 2 mixing bowls

• Pastry brush

What to Do

• Use the sharp knife to split the vanilla bean lengthwise

• Place the split vanilla bean and 2 cups of milk in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil

• Turn off the heat and allow the milk to sit for 15 minutes to infuse the vanilla flavor

• Whisk 2/3 cup of sugar and the 6 egg yolks in a mixing bowl until fluffy

• Add in the cornstarch and whisk firmly until the mixture is completely smooth

• Add 1/4 of the milk into the mixture and whisk until fully combined

• Add in the rest of the milk and whisk until combined

• Place a strainer over the saucepan and pour the mixture through it to eliminate any lumps or inconsistencies

• Cook over medium-high heat, stirring with the whisk continuously, until thick and slowly boiling

• Remove from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of cold butter

• Allow to cool slightly

• Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap down onto the surface of the mixture to prevent the formation of a skin

• Chill for at least 2 hours or until 1 hour before using

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees

• Place the remaining sugar, remaining butter, salt, and water to a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil

• Once it hits a boil, immediately remove it from the heat

• Add all of the flour and stir with a wooden spoon, stirring as quickly and hard as possible to incorporate all of the flour and prevent lumps

• Return to medium-high heat and cook for 30 seconds

• Pour the mixture into a mixer and start it at medium speed

• Add the whole eggs 1 at a time, stopping the mixer to scrape the bowl after each

• Mix until a smooth, glossy dough forms

• If the dough is too thick, add another whole egg

• Put the dough into the pastry bag fitted with the tip

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

• Squeeze out 8 to 10 lengths of dough approximately the size of a large hot dog, leaving 2 inches between them

• Whisk together the remaining egg and a tablespoon of water

• Use the pastry brush to brush this egg wash across the surface of each length

• Bake for 15 minutes

• Reduce the heat to 375 degrees

• Bake another 25 minutes or until puffy and golden. Avoid opening the oven at any point during the baking process

• Allow the éclairs to cool

• Use your finger or a pastry tip to poke a hole in the end of each length

• Put the custard you made first into another pastry bag fitted with a plain tip

• Squeeze just enough of the custard to fill the inside into the pastry. Do not overstuff

• Use a sharp knife to chop the chocolate into small pieces

• Melt the chocolate into the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat

• Dip the top of each éclair into the chocolate and return to the baking pan

• Chill for at least one hour to set the chocolate before serving

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring elder care services near Columbia, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.

Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens,Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.

• Author
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Edward Harrison

Founder at Heart of the Carolinas

Edward Harrison founded the Heart of the Carolinas Homecare in 2007 when he saw there was a need for caregivers that provide non-medical home care services, at a price that most people could afford. It was standard in the industry to require hourly minimums and it was common to be assigned a caregiver, not matched with one based on your individual personal needs. Edward understood that to make a successful relationship between caregiver and client, skills were not enough, personality and compatibility plays as much a role as do skills.

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