First place the nuts on a baking tray and toast in a moderate oven for about 10 minutes until golden brown.
Place the sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed pan and bring to a boil.
Continue to boil until it is caramelized 6-8 minutes.
Put the nuts into the mixture and mix.
Pour the mixture onto a marble slab or a baking tray and leave to go cold.
When it is cold break it up and either put it in a grinder to grind it to a pulp, smash it with a rolling pin, or place it in a pestle and mortar and work to a paste.
Keep it to one side ready to mix into the Crème Patissière. You can also keep it in an airtight tin for use at another time or in advance for this recipe.
In the last stage, mix in the praline paste to flavor.
Make this and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to fill the Paris Brest with it.
STEP THREE METHOD: Prep and Cook 20 minutes
You will now need to make your Choux Pastry, so follow the recipe but you do not need the nutmeg.
Now you are ready to put the Paris Brest together! Prep 5+2 minutes, Bake 40 minutes
You will need a few almond flakes and a little beaten egg to brush on the top to create a glaze.
Fill the icing bag with the choux pastry,( without a nozzle), and pipe a large ring with the choux pastry onto a lightly buttered baking tray. You can if you wish make individual smaller ones.
Brush the top with a little beaten egg and sprinkle a few almond flakes on the top.
Place in the middle shelf of the preheated oven at 400°F/200°C/Gas 6 and leave for 15 minutes.
Now reduce the oven temperature to 375°F, (190°C, Gas 5) for another 25 minutes.
Take it out of the oven and leave it to go cold.
Split with a sharp knife through the center horizontally, lift the top carefully and place to the side upside down while you fill the bottom with the Crème Patissière.
Lift the top back onto the filled bottom half.
Dust the top with icing sugar.
Now you have the most wonderful French Gateau to enjoy!