Ruth Reichls Gougeres Yummy Cheese Puffs Great For Holiday Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Combine the water, butter and a teaspoon of the salt into a sauce pan and bring to a boil, stirring until butter melts.
• Remove from heat, let cool slightly, stir in flour, and mix well.
• Return the pan to the heat and stir with a wooden spoon over high heat until the mixture comes away from the sides of the pan and remove from heat.
• Stir in eggs, one at a time until well combined.
• Add the diced cheese, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, stirring well.
• Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons onto a well buttered baking pan. Smooth the top and sides of each gougere with a knife and sprinkle with the grated cheese.
• Bake in batches for 25 minutes or until puffed and golden.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Set aside.
• In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water with the milk, butter, sugar and salt and stir over low heat until the sugar, butter and salt have melted. Raise the heat to medium and bring to a healthy simmer.
• Take from the heat and immediately add the flour. Stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens, is smooth and no flour lumps remain. Return to the heat and cook, stirring, until a film forms on the bottom of the pan. Continue stirring, careful not to scrape up the film, for a minute or two more.
• Transfer the mixture (panade) to a food processor. Mix for a minute to dissipate the heat. Add the eggs one at a time with the processor running. Pay attention to the consistency of the paste. It should be smooth and shiny, so you may only need 3 of the eggs. Stir in the cheese.
• Using a small cookie scoop, scoop generous mounds onto the parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them an inch apart. Place in the oven, immediately reduce the heat to 375 degrees F and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese puffs are golden brown.