Originating in France, in the Burgundy region, the gougères, or rather the mini gougères, are small savory cheese puffs often served as appetizers during aperitifs or accompanied by a glass of bubbly.
Soft, golden, and appetizing, they have also conquered my kitchen because they are simple to prepare and truly irresistible. Of course, tradition wants them perfect and all the same, but I… oh dear, not one of them is the same as the other!
Yet, that’s exactly what I enjoy about preparing recipes in my kitchen: each has its slightly different shape, but they all contain the same tender and delicious heart of cheese with almonds.
They are perfect as a starter, ideal for a buffet or for a homemade aperitif that smells a bit of France and a bit of my home.
P.S. The number of pieces is clearly proportional to the size of the CHOUX PASTRY bites.
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I have opened a recipe channel open to all and free on WhatsApp with no notifications and no sound, to which you can subscribe by clicking the link here https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHbGIn9cDDig7Cw2x0F and every day you can read a sweet and a savory recipe!
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POSSIBLE VARIANTS recommended by yours truly but the final word is yours!
– Cheeses: besides parmesan, try gruyère, pecorino, or a mix of aged cheeses.
– Spices: add a pinch of nutmeg, black pepper, or sweet paprika for an extra touch.
– Aromatic herbs: thyme, rosemary, or chopped chives make the gougères even more fragrant.
– Almonds: you can replace them with walnuts or hazelnuts to vary the taste.
– Creative and hip finger food: serve them with ham mousse, cheese cream, or pâté as a filling.
Always on the TOPIC of delicious appetizer recipes, here are more recipes just below:
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 20 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Stovetop, Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients
- cup water
- 3 ½ tbsp butter
- 2 eggs (medium)
- cup all-purpose flour
- 2 oz grated parmesan
- 1 pinch salt
- to taste sliced almonds
Tools
- Piping Bag
- High-sided Saucepans
- Spatulas
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Trays
Steps
Bring to a boil in a saucepan the water with the butter and a pinch of salt, letting everything melt.
Remove from the heat and pour the flour all at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon or marisa spatula.Return to the heat over medium flame and continue stirring for about 2 minutes, until the mixture forms a ball and detaches from the sides, with a distinctive unmistakable crackling sound.
Let it cool for 5 minutes, then add the eggs one at a time, stirring and incorporating them into the dough before adding the next.
Incorporate the grated cheese and mix until you get a soft and homogeneous dough.
Transfer the dough into a piping bag and form small puffs on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Sprinkle the surface with almond flakes.
Bake at 375°F static and cook for 20-25 minutes, without opening the oven in the first 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and serve warm, and remember they disappear in an instant!!!!!!!!Happy cooking and enjoy your meal! Annalisa
These tasty mini gougères with parmesan and almonds can be stored for 1-2 days in an airtight container at room temperature. Before serving, heat them in the oven at 320°F for a few minutes so they become crispy again.
👉 You can also freeze them raw: place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, let them harden in the freezer, and then transfer them to a food bag. Bake them directly from frozen, increasing the cooking time by 2-3 minutes.
Alternatively, you can freeze them already cooked and reheat them in a hot oven at 355°F for 5-6 minutes.
Alternatively, you can freeze them already cooked and reheat them in a hot oven at 355°F for 5-6 minutes.
