French puffs with extra boost of flavor

This recipe is as simple to make as it is tasty. Gougères are light French cheese puffs that get an extra boost of flavor here with the addition of pimiento cheese and fresh herbs. These savory bites are perfect as an elegant hors d’oeuvre for dinner but are just as welcome at brunch or lunch.

PIMIENTO HERB GOUGÈRES

YIELD: 50 small gougères 

INGREDIENTS 

8 oz milk 

8 oz water 

9 g salt 

210 g butter, unsalted 

300 g flour 

8 eggs 

2 oz pimiento, chopped 

4 oz shredded cheddar cheese 

1 oz chives, chopped 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 

2. Bring milk, water, butter and salt to boil until the butter is melted. Remove from heat. 

3. Add the flour and beat until thick and a film is left on the sides and bottom of the pan. 

4. Transfer the mixture to a kitchen aid mixing bowl with a paddle attachment. Turn on and add 1 egg. Allow the egg to fully incorporate. Continue to add the eggs one at a time and mix fully between additions. 

5. Fold in the pimentos, cheese and chives by hand. 

6. Put mixture into a piping bag with either a round tip or no tip at all. Pipe onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pipe until they are in between the sizes of a cherry tomato and a cotton ball. 

7. Make sure each gougère is piped to the same size so they bake evenly. 8. Bake for 15 minutes or until nicely golden brown. 

9. Cool slightly and enjoy. 

Michaella Evert is the instructional assistant at Flathead Valley Community College’s Culinary Institute of Montana. Visit fvcc.edu/culinary.