Originally from France, in the Burgundy region, mini gougères are small savory cheese puffs, often served as appetizers during aperitifs or accompanied by a glass of bubbles.
Soft, golden, and appetizing, they have conquered my kitchen because they are easy to make and truly irresistible. Of course, tradition wants them perfect and all the same, but me… oh dear, not one is the same as the other!
Yet this is precisely what amuses me in preparing recipes in my kitchen: each has its own slightly different shape, but they all contain the same tender and delicious cheese heart 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 opened a free recipe channel open to everyone on WhatsApp with no notifications and no sound, which you can join by clicking on the link here https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHbGIn9cDDig7Cw2x0F and every day you can read a sweet and savory recipe!
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POSSIBLE VARIANTS recommended by yours truly, but the final decision 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.
– Herbs: thyme, rosemary, or chopped chives make the gougères even more fragrant.
– Almonds: you can replace them with walnuts or hazelnuts for a different taste.
– Creative and cooler finger food: serve them with ham mousse, cheese cream, or pâté as a filling.
Still on the THEME of delicious appetizer recipes, here are more recipes just below:
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 20 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Stove, Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 3.5 tbsp butter
- 2 eggs (medium)
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2.1 oz grated Parmesan
- 1 pinch salt
- as needed sliced almonds
Tools
- Pastry Bag
- High Sided Saucepan
- Spatula
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Tray
Steps
Bring water, butter, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a saucepan, allowing everything to melt.
Then remove from heat and add the flour all at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon or spatula.Return to medium heat and continue stirring for about 2 minutes, until the mixture forms a ball and detaches from the sides, with a characteristic unmistakable crackling sound.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing and incorporating them into the dough before adding the next.
Incorporate the grated cheese and mix until a soft and homogeneous dough is obtained.
Transfer the dough into a pastry bag and form small puffs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Sprinkle the surface with sliced almonds.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375 °F and cook for 20-25 minutes, without opening the oven for the first 15 minutes.
Remove from 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 to make them crisp again.
👉 You can also freeze them raw: place them on a baking sheet 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 350 °F for 5-6 minutes.
Alternatively, you can freeze them already cooked and reheat them in a hot oven at 350 °F for 5-6 minutes.
