Cheese Puffs

Cheese puffs are a delicious appetizer, perfect for tickling the appetite. Here’s the recipe with a small Italian touch in the choice of cheeses.

Ingredients

• 150 ml of water
• 50 g of butter
• A pinch of salt
• 100 g of flour
• 3 eggs
• 100 g of grated cheese (such as Parmesan or Pecorino)
• Black pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. In a small pot, bring the water to a boil with the butter and a pinch of salt.
3. Remove the pot from the heat and, using a wooden spatula, rapidly incorporate all the flour, stirring vigorously to obtain a homogeneous mixture that detaches from the sides of the pot.
4. Put the pot back on the heat and dry the dough for a few minutes, continuing to stir.
5. Transfer the dough to a bowl and let it cool down slightly.
6. Incorporate the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition, until a smooth and homogeneous mixture is obtained.
7. Add the grated cheese and a pinch of black pepper, mix well to evenly distribute.
8. Using two teaspoons or a pastry bag, place small mounds of batter on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each puff.
9. Bake and cook for about 20 minutes or until the puffs are puffed up and golden.
10. Remove from the oven and serve the puffs while still warm.

Curiosity

Cheese puffs, also known as gougères in France, are a specialty of the Burgundy region. In Italy, you can often find them as a snack during an aperitif, and by using typical Italian cheeses such as Parmesan or Pecorino, they give this recipe a delicious local touch.

Enjoy your meal!