French cheese puffs

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups (150 g) grated Gruyère cheese (or any other hard cheese like cheddar or Parmesan)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• Chopped fresh chives or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the Choux Pastry:
   • In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
   • Once the butter is melted and the mixture is boiling, add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. This should take about 2 minutes.
   • Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool slightly, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the Eggs:
   • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough is smooth and shiny. You can use an electric mixer for this step if desired.
   • Stir in the grated cheese, black pepper, and nutmeg (if using).
4. Shape the Gougères:
   • Use a tablespoon or a piping bag to drop small mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
5. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the gougères are puffed and golden brown.
6. Garnish and Serve:
   • Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped chives or parsley.
   • Serve warm.

These cheese puffs are perfect as an appetizer or a snack. Enjoy!

For more details, visit the full recipe

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