Best 20 Napoleon Recipes

CLASSIC FRENCH NAPOLEON RECIPE - (3.9/5)

Steps:

• PUFF PASTRY: Preheat oven to 425°F/220°C. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or plain brown paper; set aside. Unfold puff pastry sheet and trim edges to a 9-inch square. Cut pastry into nine 3-inch squares. Transfer pastry squares to the prepared baking sheets; prick pastry. Bake in a preheated oven for 18-23 minutes, or until golden. (Or bake according to package directions.) Carefully remove pastries from baking sheet. Cool on a rack. CREAM FILLING: In a heavy, medium saucepan stir together sugar, flour, and salt. Slowly stir in half-and-half or light cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Slowly stir about half of the hot mixture into beaten egg yolks. Return all to saucepan. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Transfer mixture to a bowl. Cover surface with plastic wrap and cool just until warm without stirring. In a small mixing bowl beat whipping cream until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into warm pastry cream. GLAZE: In a medium mixing bowl combine confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Stir in enough boiling water to make a glaze of spreading consistency; set aside. ASSEMBLY: Use the tines of a fork to separate each pastry square horizontally into 3 layers. Note: If Using Fruit Jam or Preserves: Spread about 1 teaspoon of the raspberry or strawberry jam or preserves on each bottom layer. Spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the pastry cream over raspberry preserves or if not using a layer of fruit jam or preserves, spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the pastry cream on the bottom layer and preceed as follows: Top with middle pastry layers. Spread another 1 1/2 tablespoons of the pastry cream on each middle layer. Finally, top with remaining pastry layers. Spread glaze over top of napoleons, then drizzle with melted chocolate. Chill up to 1 hour.

MILLE FEUILLE (NAPOLEON PASTRY SHEETS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone sheet.
• Separate dough at the seams into 4 squares and place on prepared baking sheet. Score the dough all over with the tines of a fork to prevent it from rising too much when baking. Lightly sprinkle dough sheets with white granulated sugar.
• Cover with a sheet of parchment paper and 3 sheets of aluminum foil. Nest another baking sheet on top to apply some pressure to the dough while it bakes.
• Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes; remove top pan and foil and gently peel off the parchment paper. Return pan to oven and bake until pastry is beautifully browned, 10 to 15 minutes. (Optionally, you can bake about 7 minutes after uncovering, then flip sheets over and bake until brown on the other side, another 7 minutes.)
• Transfer to cooling rack and cool completely before cutting.
• Square the sheets by trimming uneven edges off sheets using a sharp serrated knife with light sawing motion to keep the pastry from breaking. Cut each rectangle crosswise into 3 equal smaller rectangles. Use 3 small rectangles per pastry.

NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Make puff pastry strips: Lightly flour a clean work surface. Using a rolling pin, gently roll out dough into a 16-by-18-inch rectangle about 1/8 inch thick, being careful not to press too hard around the edges. Using a pastry wheel or sharp knife, cut rectangle crosswise into thirds, with each strip 6 by 16 inches. Transfer to a baking sheet; dock, or pierce, the dough all over with a fork. Cover with plastic wrap; place in refrigerator 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Transfer to oven; bake until strips are puffed and golden all over, about 14 minutes. Set a baking sheet directly on pastry strips, and continue baking until pastry is cooked through and well browned, about 6 minutes. Remove top baking sheet; bake 4 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Using a serrated knife, trim each to 4 1/4 by 12 inches.
• Make the glaze: In a small saucepan, bring heavy cream just to a boil. Place dark chocolate in a bowl, and pour hot cream over chocolate; whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is combined. Whisk in corn syrup. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
• Place white chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk until chocolate is melted, and remove from heat. Let cool.
• Using an offset spatula, spread dark chocolate glaze over one side of the flattest puff pastry strip, making sure to coat entire surface. Place white chocolate in a piping cone; pipe thin lines 3/4 inch apart across width of chocolate-coated strip. To create the distinctive flourish, gently drag the tip of a paring knife or a skewer lengthwise through both coatings, in lines perpendicular to the white chocolate lines. Begin at one of the short ends, and make each line 3/4 inch apart. Alternate the direction each time.
• Place one of the unglazed puff pastry strips on a serving tray. Spread half the pastry cream over the top, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Top with remaining unglazed pastry strip; press down gently, and repeat with remaining pastry cream. Top with glazed pastry strip. Transfer to refrigerator, and chill 30 minutes uncovered. Using a long serrated knife, cut into six pieces, and serve.

EGGPLANT NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Whisk eggs together in a deep container. Pour bread crumbs in another deep container.
• Dip each slice of eggplant into the eggs, covering both sides, and press into the bread crumbs until evenly coated.
• Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Arrange a layer of eggplant slices in the skillet; cook until crispy, 2 to 4 minutes. Spray tops with cooking spray and flip; continue cooking until second side is browned and eggplant is tender, 2 to 4 minutes more. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining slices.
• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
• Arrange a layer of eggplant slices in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top each slice with a basil leaf, 1 tomato slice, and 1 slice of mozzarella cheese. Place another eggplant slice on top. Cover with remaining tomato and mozzarella cheese slices.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is softened, but not melted, about 5 minutes.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEON

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out each pastry sheet to a 9-in. square. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until golden brown. , Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually add milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in butter and vanilla. Pour into a bowl; cover surface with plastic wrap. Refrigerate, without stirring, until chilled. , For topping, beat cream in a chilled large bowl until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. , Place one pastry square on a serving platter. Top with the custard, strawberries, sweetened whipped cream and second pastry. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Refrigerate leftovers.

MUSHROOM NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Place mushrooms, onion and vinaigrette in a large resealable plastic bag. Seal bag; toss well to coat. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Drain and reserve marinade., For grill, coat grill rack with cooking spray before starting the grill. Wrap marinated onion slices in heavy-duty foil and place on medium-hot grill. Place mushrooms, gill side down, on grate. Grill both for 5-7 minutes; turn. Grill 5-7 minutes longer or until juices accumulate in the mushroom caps. Remove onions and mushrooms from grill; drain and reserve any juices from onions and mushrooms., For microwave, place onion slices and mushrooms, gill side up, on a microwave-safe plate. Cover and microwave for 3 minutes. Let stand for 30 seconds. Drain and reserve any juices., To serve, place each mushroom cap, gill side up, on a serving plate. Layer each with tomato, onion slices and basil. Sprinkle each stack with cheese and thyme. Combine reserved vinaigrette and cooking juices; drizzle over each stack. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

EGGPLANT NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place one eggplant on a baking sheet, and roast for one hour. Allow to cool. Slice in half lengthwise, and scoop pulp into a medium mixing bowl. Add olive oil to bowl, and blend well with a fork. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and reserve.
• Slice remaining eggplant into disks about 1/8 inch thick. Season to taste with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, beat eggs with a fork until blended. Dip each eggplant slice in the flour, egg and then the bread crumbs.
• In a medium saucepan, heat vegetable oil to 350 degrees. Add eggplant in small batches, and saute until brown on both sides, about a minute a side. Remove from pan, and drain on paper towels.
• To assemble, place a slice of eggplant on each of four plates, topped by a heaping tablespoon of reserved eggplant puree. Top with another slice of eggplant and another spoonful of puree, continuing until the eggplant and puree have been evenly distributed. Finish each napoleon with a slice of eggplant; there will be a total of four to six layers. Serve immediately.

NAPOLEON'S CHICKEN MARENGO

Steps:

• Salt and pepper chicken and pat in seasonings.
• Heat olive oil to med-high.
• Dredge chicken in flour and add to heated oil.
• Brown on both sides, about 3 minutes each side.
• Place browned chicken on papertowels
• In same skillet, saute onions 10 minutes.
• After five mins add minced garlic.
• Add tomatoes, wine, and stir until bubbly.
• Lower heat to a low simmer.
• Return chicken pieces to skillet.
• Simmer for 1 hour if using dark meat, 45 mins if using breasts.
• Check chicken at 15 min intervals. If too dry, add 1/3 C Chicken Broth (or to your liking).
• At first 15 min interval, taste sauce and S& P to your taste.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Add mushrooms and shrimp to simmering chicken at 50 mins or 35 mins, respectively, assure shrimp is simmering in sauce until just pink.
• Butter slices of bread or drizzle olive oil and toast in preheated oven (3-5 mins).
• Add one piece of chicken on top of a slice of toast, spoon sauce over chicken.
• Add 2-3 shrimp on top or around chicken.
• Sprinkle a little parsley on each serving (optional).
• Fry eggs in olive oil or bacon grease, Sunny side up (eggs optional).
• Place egg by side of chicken serving, S&P to taste.

RUSSIAN NAPOLEON TORTE

Steps:

• Place 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of margarine in a large mixing bowl. Sift in the flour. Cut in margarine with 2 knives or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Whisk cold water and egg together in a bowl. Whisk in lemon juice. Stir into flour mixture until dough is moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until it is smooth.
• Roll the dough into a long log. Divide dough into 9 equal parts, roll each part into a small ball and chill for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Dust a large piece of parchment with flour. Take one of the dough balls, dust with flour, and place on prepared baking sheet. Roll into a thin and rough 8-inch circle. Prick with a fork all over. Transfer dough circle and the parchment paper onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat with the remaining balls of dough.
• Once pastry circles are baked, remove each one from oven. Place a large plate on top and cut around the plate with a sharp knife, so all the dough circles are the exact same size. Save the trimmings for later.
• Place 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons butter in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Beat in the condensed milk until smooth.
• To assemble the cake, place one pastry circle on a serving plate and cover with 1 tablespoon of the butter filling. Sprinkle with walnuts and cover with the next pastry circle. Repeat till all of the pastry circles have been used, spreading filling on the top of the final pastry circle, but no walnuts.
• Crush the reserved trimmings into crumbs. Sprinkle evenly to cover the top and sides of the cake.
• For best results, chill Napoleon Torte in the fridge for 8 hours before serving.

EGGPLANT NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Arrange the eggplant slices on two sheet pans, sprinkle with salt, and set aside for 30 minutes or until they begin to sweat. Using a paper towel, pat the slices dry and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the pesto, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice. Toss in the eggplant to coat and let marinate at room temperature for at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Dump the flour onto a shallow rimmed plate. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg whites and 1 cup of water. Combine the panko, Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley and pepper on a second shallow rimmed plate.
• Spread a sheet of waxed paper on a clean work surface. Working with one slice of eggplant at a time, dredge it in the flour first, shaking off the excess, and then dip it in the egg mixture followed by the breadcrumbs. Gently press the breadcrumbs onto both sides of the eggplant and place on the waxed paper. Repeat with the remaining eggplant slices.
• Pour at least 2 inches of corn oil into a small, deep pot. Heat the oil over high until hot but not smoking. Working in batches, fry the eggplant slices until golden, turning once, 3 to 5 minutes. Do not crowd the pot. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the eggplant slices to a paper towel-lined platter to drain.
• Place an eggplant slice on a small plate. Spread with 2 tablespoons of the baba ghanouj, top with a second eggplant slice and spread 1 tablespoon of baba ghanouj on top. Repeat layering in this order with the remaining eggplant slices and baba ghanouj to make eight to ten eggplant stacks.
• Just before serving, toss together the salad: In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes and onion. In a small bowl, whisk together the pesto, lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Drizzle just enough of the pesto mixture over the tomato-onion mixture to thoroughly coat. Spoon some salad around each napoleon and drizzle the napoleons with some of the dressing left in the bottom of the bowl. Serve immediately.

VEGETABLE NAPOLEON WITH GRILLED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM AND TOMATO BASIL BISQUE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over low heat. Add onion, celery, and bell pepper and saute until they begin to soften. While they are cooking, cut fresh tomatoes in half, squeeze out seeds. Stir the fresh tomatoes into the skillet along with tomato paste and diced canned tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer partially covered to integrate flavors, about 5 minutes. Add stock and cook for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Season portobello mushrooms with salt and pepper and brush with olive oil. Place on baking sheet in oven for 10 minutes.
• Remove pan of tomato mixture from heat, stir in cream and season with salt and pepper, to taste. While the mushrooms are in the oven, puree sauce in batches in food processor. Remove mushrooms from oven and let cool.
• To assemble napoleon, place a portobello on serving plate. Top with 1 slice of cheese followed by a slice of tomato, then another slice of cheese, another tomato slice and the second portobello on the top layer. Ladle warm sauce over the vegetable napoleon and finish with a basil sprig, for garnish.

NAPOLEON CREMES

Steps:

• Combine graham cracker crumbs, coconut, sugar and cocoa. Stir in melted butter and vanilla. Press onto bottom of a greased 9-in. square baking dish. Refrigerate 30 minutes., For filling, beat softened butter until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar, pudding mix and milk; beat until fluffy. Spread over crust. Refrigerate until firm, 1-1/2 to 2 hours., For topping, microwave chocolate chips and butter on high, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Cool. Spread over pudding layer. Refrigerate until set. Cut into bars.

NAPOLEON TORTE

Steps:

• To make pastry, cut butter into flour until crumbly and blend in sour cream.
• Form dough into 10 balls.
• Cover each with wax paper and refrigerate overnight.
• Allow dough to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes, then roll each ball into a wafer thin circle on a lightly floured board.
• Prick all over and bake at 350 degrees F.
• for 7 to 10 minutes.
• Cool.
• To make filling# 1--Mix together sugar, flour and salt in top of double boiler.
• Gradually add hot milk, stirring constantly.
• Cook and stir until mixture thickens.
• Pour a small amount over egg yolks, mix thoroughly and pour back into hot mixture.
• Cook for 2 minutes.
• Cool, then add vanilla.
• To make filling# 2--Pour milk into top of double boiler and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened- about 30 minutes.
• Add egg yolks slowly in a thin stream, stirring constantly.
• Add vanilla.
• Cook and stir for 10 minutes.
• CHILL.
• Beat butter until fluffy, then slowly beat in chilled milk mixture.
• TO ASSEMBLE TORTE: Place one layer of pastry on a platter and spread with either filling.
• Continue stacking, alternating fillings, until 1 layer of pastry remains.
• Frost top and sides with remaining filling.
• Crush remaining pastry layer and cover torte with crumbs.
• Refrigerate for several hours.
• Serves 30.

GRILLED PORTOBELLO PIZZA WITH GOAT CHEESE AND GREEN SAUCE AND THOUSAND-LAYER EGGPLANT NAPOLEON WITH NO-FAT TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Puree all the ingredients to form a sauce.
• Rub mushrooms with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Place the mushrooms on the grill, rib side down, and cook for 5 minutes. Turn mushrooms and place green sauce over mushrooms. Add sliced goat cheese. Touch with a little more sauce. Close the top to the grill and smoke for 5 minutes more.
• Lightly brush eggplant, zucchini and onions with olive oil and then season with salt and pepper. Grill for 3 minutes on each side. Grill tomato for 3 minutes on each side. While vegetables are hot, using a ceramic mold or bread pan lined with plastic wrap, make a layer of eggplant and then spread with 1-ounce of Jack cheese. Make a layer of red pepper and spread with 1-ounce Jack cheese. Make a layer of zucchini and spread with jack cheese. Make a layer of onion with jack cheese. Make a layer of green peppers and then a layer of goat cheese. Make another layer of eggplant and then another layer of goat cheese. Finally, make a layer of tomato and then a layer of basil. Lightly press, weight and allow to sit for 20 minutes. Turn upside down and release from the mold. Place left over goat cheese on top and garnish with basil.
• Place tomatoes, meat side down, over medium hot grill for 8 minutes. Carefully remove and place in blender. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.

EASY STRAWBERRY 'NAPOLEON'

Steps:

• Mix pudding mix and milk-(skim or low fat is fine) and beat on low for 2 minutes.
• Fold in Cool Whip- can be low or non fat.
• Place 12 crackers in bottom of 8" square dish to cover bottom, break crackers if needed. Breaking also helps disguise the saltines.
• Top with 1/3 of the pudding mix.
• Repeat to create a total of three layers of crackers and three layers of pudding.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
• Just before serving top with cleaned and sliced berries.
• Note: Vanilla and strawberries are my favorite combo but try with different types of fresh fruit using what is in season. Also try different pudding flavors keeping in mind that lighter colors disguise the saltines the best!

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Thaw the frozen puff pastry by placing it in room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Once thawed, unfold the pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 3 strips along the fold mark.
• Cut each of the 3 strips into 4 rectangles; you will have a total of 12 same sized rectangles.
• Place the pastry rectangles on a baking sheet about an inch apart and bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the pastry cool.
• In the meantime, make the vanilla pudding according to the package directions using the cold milk.
• Fold in the whipped cream into the set vanilla pudding.
• Now break apart each pastry rectangle into 2 layers - top and bottom; you now have 24 rectangles.
• Keep aside 8 top layers.
• Line up 8 bottom parts and spoon ½ of the vanilla mixture on them, dividing equally between the 8 pastries.
• Top with strawberry slices and another piece of pastry.
• Repeat with the remaining vanilla mixture and strawberry slices.
• Top with the reserved pastry tops.
• Garnish with a few slices of strawberry and a dusting of powdered sugar.
• Either serve immediately or the patries can be refrigerated for upto 3 hours.
• Note that the preparation time does not include time to thaw the pastry.

COFFEE NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out puff pastry on parchment to 11-by-15-inch rectangle. Sprinkle with sugar to evenly coat. Roll out again so sugar adheres to pastry. Trim to three 11-by-5-inch rectangles. Spray a rimmed baking sheet lightly with water and transfer pastry rectangles to baking sheet; freeze until firm, about 20 minutes. Divide rectangles between two parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets. Top each with a wire cooling rack and bake until beginning to turn golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• In a small bowl, whisk together heavy cream and espresso powder. Add confectioners' sugar and whisk until smooth. If glaze is too thick to pour, add additional cream, 1 teaspoon at a time, until glaze reaches a pourable consistency.
• Assemble Napoleon: place one pastry rectangle on work surface. Top with half of pastry cream, spreading in an even layer. Top with a second pastry rectangle, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat with remaining pastry cream and pastry rectangle, with the flattest surface facing upward. Pour glaze on top and spread evenly using an offset spatula to cover. Fill a small pastry bag fitted with a very small plain tip (#1 or #2) with melted chocolate. Pipe lines of chocolate crosswise over the glaze, about 1/2 inch apart. Drag the tip of a wooden skewer down the length of the glazed pastry, in alternating directions, to create a decorative pattern. Refrigerate up to 1 hour before slicing with a serrated knife.

MANDARINE NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Pour into a highball glass three-quarters filled with broken ice. Garnish with a slice of lime. Serve with a straw.

NAPOLEON TORTE

Steps:

• Dough: Cut butter into flour then blend in the sour cream and water.
• Form 8-12 balls, then flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let sit 15 minutes or until dough is pliable enough to be rolled out.
• Roll each disc into a paper-thin circle on a lightly-floured surface, then prick all over with a fork and bake at 375F for 7-10 minutes or until golden brown.
• A pizza pan or a stone makes a good surface for cooking your layers.
• Each layer must be cooked individually.
• If your dough gets too soft while you are rolling and baking, put it back in the refrigerator until it is hard enough again.
• Filling#1: Mix sugar, flour and salt in top of double boiler.
• Gradually add hot milk, stirring constantly.
• Keep on heat, stirring until mixture thickens.
• Spoon a small amount of milk mixture gradually (~1/4c) into your egg yolks, mix thoroughly.
• This will prevent your eggs from cooking by gradually raising their temperature.
• After you have spooned the milk mixture into the eggs, pour the eggs into the milk mixture.
• Cook for 2 minutes.
• Cool, then add vanilla and extras if desired.
• Filling#2: Add both cans of milk to top of double boiler and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened (~30min).
• Add egg yolks slowly in a thin stream, stirring constantly.
• Add vanilla.
• Cook and stir for 10 minutes.
• Chill in refrigerator.
• Beat butter until fluffy, then slowly beat in chilled milk mixture.
• Add extras if desired.
• Assembly: Place one layer of pastry on a platter and spread with filling.
• Continue stacking, alternating fillings, until 1 layer of pastry remains.
• Frost top and sides of torte with your remaining filling.
• Crumble the last pastry layer and sprinkle over torte.
• Refrigerate for several hours.

ROASTED STRAWBERRY NAPOLEON

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking pan with parchment paper, and set aside. Have ready another baking pan, unlined. In a small bowl, combine corn syrup with 1 teaspoon warm water; set aside.
• Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour. Roll puff-pastry sheet into a 12-inch square; trim edges. Cut sheet on the fold lines, making three 4-by-12-inch rectangles. Place rectangles on lined pan. Top with another piece of parchment. Place the unlined pan on top of the filled pan. Bake puff pastry 8 minutes.
• Remove the empty pan and top parchment, and return pan to oven. Bake until pastry starts to puff and is light-golden brown, about 8 minutes. Remove from oven; lightly brush with reserved corn-syrup mixture. Using a long metal spatula, gently flip rectangles. Brush again with corn-syrup mixture. Bake until shiny and golden brown, about 9 minutes more. With the spatula, transfer puff pastry to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
• Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees. Using a pastry brush, coat the bottom of a medium oven-proof saute pan with 1 tablespoon butter; scrape vanilla seeds into butter. Place strawberries, cut sides down, in pan. Sprinkle with granulated sugar, and lay vanilla pod on top. Roast until strawberries start to "slump" and feel soft when squeezed, 10 to 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer all but 2 of the berries and vanilla pod to a plate to cool. Reserve juices in pan.
• Set pan over high heat. If using Grand Marnier, add to pan, and light a match, carefully igniting liqueur; allow flame to burn out, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium. Using a fork, mash 2 remaining strawberries; add orange juice. (If not using liqueur, add 2 tablespoons more orange juice). Cook until thick and syrupy, 30 to 40 seconds; discard vanilla pod. Remove from heat. Swirl in the remaining tablespoon butter, and set aside.
• Combine cream and confectioners' sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer, and whip until stiff peaks form.
• Without using a tip, close off the end of a pastry bag with a paper clip or clothespin; fill with whipped cream. Repeat, filling a second pastry bag with orange pastry cream. (Alternatively, use two resealable plastic bags, and cut off a corner on each; an offset spatula can also be used to spread both whipped and pastry creams.)
• Pipe a tablespoon of pastry cream onto the middle of a serving plate. Center a rectangle of puff pastry on top. Leaving a 1/2-inch border, pipe orange pastry cream onto puff pastry. Arrange roasted strawberries on top of pastry cream; scrape any remaining juices from plate into reserved sauce. Place a second rectangle of puff pastry on top of strawberries. Leaving a 1/2-inch border, pipe whipped cream onto second rectangle of puff pastry. Sprinkle with pistachios. Place a third rectangle of puff pastry on top.
• Using a serrated knife, slice assembled napoleon into 4 pieces. Drizzle with the reserved sauce, and serve.