Gougeres are delicate, miniature cheese puffs. They are a popular addition to special ocassions, like cocktail parties and brilliant eaten with a Pastis aperitif.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup minus 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 8 tablespoons butter, cut into ½-inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup drained, chopped roasted red peppers
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large saucepan, bring water, mustard, butter, and salt to a rapid, rolling boil. Make sure all the butter is melted, and then add flour. Stir the mixture for 20-30 seconds, until a sticky dough ball forms and begins pulling away from the sides of the pan. Reduce heat to low-medium heat and cook, stirring, for 90 seconds. Remove from heat and set aside for 5 minutes.
Beat in eggs, one at a time, along with the cheese, red peppers, and black peppers. Place heaping teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets 1 inch apart. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, for 25-30 minutes. The gougeres are done when they are a deep golden brown and puffed. Serve immediately.
Makes 10 servings.
