Tuille, a delicate, crisp French wafer, has graced the culinary world for centuries. Traditionally made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter, tuille (meaning “tile” in French) was named for its resemblance to the curved roof tiles commonly found in Provence. Historically, these thin, crispy cookies were often served as an elegant garnish, accompanying desserts like crème brûlée or sorbet, adding texture and a subtle sweetness to the dish. Take a look at our modern take on this classic recipe, using Ultratex.
The Evolution of Tuille: From Classic to Contemporary
Originally, the beauty of a tuille lay in its simplicity. Chefs would mold the tuille around a rolling pin to give it a graceful curve or leave it flat for a refined crunch. Despite its basic ingredients, the tuille’s versatility made it a staple in fine dining kitchens around the world. Pastry chefs and bakers alike embraced its flexibility—experimenting with different flavors, fillings, and shapes to complement a variety of sweet treats.
However, the classic tuille remained deeply rooted in the dessert course, rarely venturing beyond this domain. While chefs experimented with flavors, the core recipe remained unchanged for generations. That is, until now.
A New Era for Culinary Innovation
In today’s rapidly evolving culinary landscape, innovation is key. Chefs are no longer confined to traditional methods or ingredients but are instead encouraged to explore new techniques that push boundaries and create unforgettable dining experiences. Enter Special Ingredients Europe, a brand at the forefront of modern gastronomy. By offering cutting-edge ingredients like Ultratex, Special Ingredients Europe allows chefs and home cooks to transform classic recipes into something truly extraordinary.
Our Carrot and Cardamom Tuille recipe exemplifies this evolution. By incorporating Ultratex, a high-performance thickening agent, we’ve taken the traditional tuille and given it a modern twist. Not only does this new take enhance the texture and flavor, but it also opens up a world of possibilities for both sweet and savory applications.
What is Ultratex?
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a closer look at Ultratex and why it’s such a game-changer in the kitchen. Ultratex is a modified starch derived from tapioca, known for its incredible thickening abilities without the need for heat. This allows chefs to create smooth, stable textures while maintaining the integrity of their ingredients’ natural flavors.
In the case of our Carrot and Cardamom Tuille, Ultratex helps achieve the perfect balance between flavor and texture. Unlike traditional flour-based tuille recipes, Ultratex allows us to use a carrot puree as the base without compromising on crispiness. The result? A light, crisp tuille with the vibrant color and earthy sweetness of carrots, delicately spiced with cardamom.
Bringing Tradition and Innovation Together
This recipe represents more than just a modern take on a classic—it’s a celebration of how far the culinary world has come. While the traditional tuille was a staple of French pâtisserie, our Carrot and Cardamom Tuille shows how even the most time-honored dishes can evolve with the help of innovative ingredients like Ultratex.
The process is simple: carrots are boiled in vegetable stock until tender, then blended with cardamom to create a smooth, fragrant puree. Ultratex is then added to achieve the perfect thickness, without the need for any flour or additional thickeners. Once the mixture is ready, it’s spread thinly onto a silicone mat and dehydrated for 12 to 24 hours, resulting in a crisp, vibrant tuille that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.
A Modern Take for Creative Chefs
This modern approach to tuille opens up endless possibilities for creative chefs. No longer confined to the dessert plate, tuille can now be made with savory ingredients like vegetables, herbs, and spices, offering a sophisticated garnish for a range of dishes. Imagine pairing a Carrot and Cardamom Tuille with a creamy goat cheese mousse or using a beetroot and thyme version to add a pop of color and crunch to a fresh salad.
At Special Ingredients Europe, we’re passionate about helping chefs and home cooks push the boundaries of what’s possible in the kitchen. By providing high-quality, innovative ingredients like Ultratex, we empower culinary creators to bring new ideas to life, transforming traditional recipes into modern masterpieces.
In short
The Carrot and Cardamom Tuille is just one example of how you can take a classic recipe and give it a contemporary twist. With the help of Special Ingredients Ultratex, you can achieve the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and creativity in your cooking. Whether you’re a professional chef looking to elevate your dishes or a home cook eager to experiment, this modern take on tuille offers an exciting opportunity to innovate while honoring tradition.
Try it yourself with our recipe below.
Happy cooking!
Modern Tuille: A recipe made of Carrot and cardamom
Equipment
Ingredients
- 100 gr Chopped carrot
- 200 ml Vegetable stock
- 4 Cardamom pods deseeded
- 15 gr Ultratex
Directions
- In a saucepan, boil the chopped carrots in vegetable stock until they are tender.
- Transfer the cooked carrots and stock to a blender, add the deseeded cardamom pods, and blend until a smooth puree forms (around 2 minutes).
- Gradually mix in Special Ingredients Ultratex, adding about 15g or until your desired thickness is reached.
- Allow a few minutes for the mixture to thicken fully before adjusting.
- Evenly spread the carrot-cardamom mixture on a silicone mat, then dehydrate for 12 to 24 hours, depending on your desired level of crispness.