Italian-American Gougère

Ingredients

In this Italian-American adaptation of the classic French gougère, we incorporate Italian cheeses such as mozzarella and Parmesan instead of the traditional French cheeses. Additionally, we infuse the puffs with Italian herbs like oregano and basil to enhance the flavor profile and give them an Italian-American twist. We alse have the original recipe for Gougère, so you can check it out.

• 1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 14g, 1g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a medium saucepan, bring the water and butter to a boil over medium heat.
3. 3.
   Reduce the heat to low and add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
4. 4.
   Remove the pan from heat and let it cool for a minute.
5. 5.
   Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, until the dough is smooth and glossy.
6. 6.
   Stir in the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
7. 7.
   Drop tablespoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. 8.
   Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown and puffed up.
9. 9.
   Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Mozzarella cheese — Use low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella for the best melting and flavor.
• Parmesan cheese — Grate the Parmesan cheese fresh for maximum flavor.
• Dried oregano and basil — Crush the dried herbs between your fingers before adding them to release their aromatic oils.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dough.
• Serve the puffs warm for the best taste and texture.
• Experiment with different Italian cheeses like fontina or provolone for a unique twist.
• These puffs can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven before serving.
• Serve with marinara sauce or a garlic-infused olive oil for dipping.

Serving advice

Serve the Cheesy Italian-American Puffs as an appetizer at parties, family gatherings, or as a delicious snack. They are best enjoyed warm and can be served on their own or with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Cheesy Italian-American Puffs on a platter or a wooden board. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color. Serve them alongside a bowl of marinara sauce or a drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil for an inviting presentation.