Estas pequenas delícias francesas são perfeitas para dar um toque sofisticado a qualquer encontro, seja como entrada leve ou como petisco elegante para acompanhar vinhos espumantes. A textura crocante por fora e macia por dentro faz das gougères uma escolha irresistível — e, apesar do nome francês pomposo, são surpreendentemente fáceis de preparar em casa!

Ingredientes

  • 45 gramas de manteiga
  • 125 ml de água
  • pitada de sal
  • 100 gramas de farinha de trigo
  • 3 ovos
  • 70 gramas de queijo Gruyère ralado

Preparação

  1. Ferva a água com manteiga em uma panela.
  2. Retire a panela do fogão, adicione sal e farinha, misture bem.
  3. Devolva a panela para o fogão e continue mexendo até que não haja grumos.
  4. Retire do fogão e adicione os ovos, um por um, continue mexendo até que a massa pareça “maionese grossa”.
  5. Adicione Gruyère ralado.
  6. Coloque a massa na geladeira por 10 minutos.
  7. Coloque 10 colheres de massa em uma assadeira.
  8. Asse no forno pré-aquecido, em 200 graus C, cerca de 20-25 minutos até dourar.

Here’s the English version below — let your kitchen smell like Paris!

Gougères (French Cheese Puffs)

Bring a taste of Burgundy to your next gathering with gougères — the iconic French cheese puffs. These savoury bites, made from choux pastry studded with Gruyère, are light, airy, and simply melt in the mouth. Perfect as an aperitif alongside a crisp glass of sparkling wine or served warm as an elegant snack, gougères are sure to impress even the most discerning guests.

Ingredients

  • 45g butter
  • 125ml water
  • pinch of salt
  • 100g plain flour
  • 3 eggs
  • 70g grated Gruyère cheese

Method

  1. Bring the water and butter to a boil in a saucepan.
  2. Remove from the heat, add the salt and flour, and mix thoroughly.
  3. Return the pan to the stove and stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
  4. Take the pan off the heat. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough is thick and glossy, resembling “thick mayonnaise.”
  5. Stir in the grated Gruyère cheese.
  6. Chill the dough in the fridge for 10 minutes.
  7. Drop spoonfuls of the dough (about 10 in total) onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
  8. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (390°F) for 20–25 minutes, until puffed and golden.

Variation: For a herby flavour, fold chopped chives, parsley, or fresh thyme through the dough before baking, or top each gougère with extra cheese before they go in the oven for added crunch.

Tip: For an extra savoury twist, mix in a pinch of cracked black pepper or a dash of nutmeg with the cheese. If Gruyère isn’t available, good quality Comté or mature cheddar also works beautifully. Leftovers can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to restore their crispness.