Gougeres (Cheese Puffs)

A note from Sylvie:

This is the ultimate traditional appetizer from the heart of Burgundy. It can be served with any apéritif. I like to use fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, thyme or basil and add them to the dough right after the eggs have been incorporated. You may make gourgeres as much as a month ahead of time and freeze them. To reheat, bake for 10-15 minutes in a 325 degree oven.

¾ cup Flour

½ tsp Salt

A pinch of Cayenne Pepper

A pinch of Nutmeg

¾ cup Water

6 Tbsp Butter, cut into pieces

3 Eggs

3 oz Swiss Cheese, grated

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Sift the flour, salt, cayenne pepper and the nutmeg together.

In a medium size saucepan, bring the water and butter to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the dry ingredients all at the same time. Beat with a wooden spoon for about one minute, until the mixture is well blended and starts to pull away from the sides of the saucepan.Cook for 2 minutes over low heat, beating constantly, then remove the pan from the heat.

Add one egg at the time and stir well to blend until the dough is smooth and slightly shiny. The dough should pull away and fall slowly when dropped from a spoon. Add the cheese, stir to mix well.

Spoon dough into a pastry bag and pipe onto the prepared baking sheet in 1- to 1¼-inch rounds, spacing 1 inch apart.

Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Cool slightly on a wire rack and serve warm.