Cheesy Gougères
For a chef after a busy night's service, gougères are simply the best snack-canapé-appetizer you could ever imagine. People go crazy for them! Originally from Burgundy, France, I like to fill them with a rich, cheesy béchamel, which makes them even more delicious. Making them will also teach you a new skill set and further enhance your credentials as a top chef.
Bring a pot with <quantity>200<unit>ml</unit></quantity> of water and <quantity>100<unit>g</unit></quantity> of butter to a boil over medium heat
Add <quantity>6<unit>g</unit></quantity> of salt. Boil until the butter is completely melted
Add <quantity>145<unit>g</unit></quantity> of all-purpose flour. Turn the heat down to low and mix. Cook, while continuously stirring, until it comes easily away from the pot, without sticking to the sides. Transfer to another container
Add <quantity>45<unit>g</unit></quantity> of finely grated Comté cheese. Mix until combined
Break <quantity>4</quantity> eggs in a bowl
Add the eggs, one or two at a time, while mixing to get a smooth dough
Cover with cling film, pressing it against the surface of the dough to avoid forming a skin. Let is cool down to room temperature
Melt <quantity>80<unit>g</unit></quantity> of butter in a saucepan over medium heat
Add <quantity>80<unit>g</unit></quantity> all-purpose flour. Whisk for 3m until the flour is cooked and the mixture becomes loose
Add <quantity>575<unit>ml</unit></quantity> of milk to a separate pot. Warm over medium-low heat until hot, but not boiling
Add <quantity>¾<unit>cup</unit></quantity> of the milk to the butter and flour, in <quantity>4</quantity> batches. Whisk each time until it becomes smooth
Add <quantity>110<unit>g</unit></quantity> of finely grated gruyére cheese. Whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the remaining milk to loosen the sauce, if necessary
Season with salt to taste
Grate nutmeg to taste and whisk
Transfer the sauce to a bowl
Cover with cling film, pressing it against the surface to avoid forming a skin. Set aside to cool down to room temperature
Preheat the oven to <temperature>170<unit>°C</unit></temperature>
Transfer the dough to piping bag and cut the tip about <quantity>1½<unit>cm</unit></quantity> wide
Pipe dots in the corner of a baking tray to hold a sheet of parchment paper in place
Pipe the dough, leaving at least <quantity>1<unit>cm</unit></quantity> between each piece
Dip your finger in warm water and gently tap the tip of the dough to make it rounded
Bake the dough for 25m until puffed and golden
Transfer the sauce to a piping bag and cut a <quantity>1<unit>cm</unit></quantity> hole. The mornay sauce is ready
Make a small incision in the bottom of the baked gougères
Insert the tip of the piping bag and fill the gougères with the Mornay Sauce
Return the gourgères to the oven for 4m to warm them up. The cheesy gougères are ready
They are best served warm. Enjoy!
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