Patrick Oconnell
Cheese puffs are a versatile snack that can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or even as a dumpling in soup. They are often made with cheddar, gouda, gruyere, or emmenthaler cheese and can be elevated with fillings such as ham salad, smoked trout pate, or roasted chicken. When making cheese puffs, it is important to grate your own cheese to ensure the puffs are light and airy. In addition to cheese, common ingredients include milk, butter, flour, and eggs. Cheese puffs can be made in advance and frozen for up to two months, making them a convenient option for entertaining.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Appetizer, Side Dish |
| Texture | Light, Airy, Crispy, Fluffy |
| Flavor | Buttery, Cheesy |
| Cheese | Cheddar, Gruyere, Swiss, Goat, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Roquefort, Gouda, Provolone |
| Additional Ingredients | Thyme, Bacon, Sage, Rosemary, Dijon Mustard, Cayenne Pepper, Salt |
| Serving Suggestions | Soups, Stews, Sauces, Deli Meats, Wine |
| Storage | Room Temperature for 4-5 Days, Freeze for up to 8 Weeks |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese puffs as a side dish
Cheese puffs are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or a side dish. They are a type of French pastry known as gougères, made with a choux pastry base and filled with cheese. The key to making them extra puffy is to grate your own cheese, as store-bought shredded cheese often contains preservatives that can affect the texture.
When served as a side dish, cheese puffs can be paired with a variety of mains. They go well with soup, stew, or any saucy entrée. For a comforting option, try serving them with a pureed tomato soup, similar to a grilled cheese and tomato soup combination. They can also be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as ham salad, smoked trout pate, roasted chicken, or deli meats, to make them more substantial.
Cheese puffs can be made with a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyère, Swiss cheese, goat cheese, Gouda, provolone, or a blend of multiple cheeses. The type of cheese used can be tailored to personal preference or what is available. Additionally, various herbs and spices can be added to enhance the flavour, such as thyme, rosemary, sage, cayenne pepper, or Dijon mustard.
To make cheese puffs, the dough is typically made by boiling milk, butter, and seasonings, then adding flour to form a dough. Eggs are then whisked in, followed by the cheese. The dough is then piped into circles or balls and baked until golden brown. Cheese puffs can be made in advance and stored at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 8 weeks.
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Cheese puffs as an appetizer
Cheese puffs are a versatile appetizer that can be served in a variety of ways to impress your guests. They are a great option for any occasion, as they are light, airy, and easy to eat. Here are some tips and ideas for serving cheese puffs as an appetizer:
Types of Cheese Puffs
Cheese puffs can be made with a variety of cheeses, allowing for experimentation and customization. While traditional French gougères are made with Gruyère, Roquefort or Parmigiano-Reggiano, cheddar cheese is a popular alternative that performs admirably in the recipe. Other cheese options include Swiss cheese, goat cheese, Gouda, or provolone. For a more intense flavour, use a blend of multiple cheeses.
Preparation and Techniques
The key to achieving the perfect cheese puffs lies in the preparation technique and the quality of ingredients used. To ensure maximum puffiness, it is recommended to hand-grate your own cheese blocks instead of using store-bought grated cheese, as the latter contains anti-caking agents that can hinder puffing. Additionally, opt for hard, low-moisture cheeses such as Gruyère, Gouda, or Emmenthaler, and avoid high-moisture cheeses like fresh mozzarella or burrata.
For a rich flavour profile, use milk instead of water as the base liquid. When mixing the dough, incorporate seasonings like thyme, rosemary, sage, or a hint of Dijon mustard for a savoury flavour boost. You can also add crumbled bacon, diced ham, or experiment with other ingredients like mushrooms, broccoli, or anything else you have in your fridge.
Serving Suggestions
Cheese puffs are excellent as a standalone appetizer, but they can also be paired with various dips and fillings. For a simple yet elegant presentation, serve them with a spicy mustard sauce or a side of fresh tomato puree. To elevate your cheese puffs, split them open and fill them with ham salad, smoked trout pâté, or your favourite deli meats. Alternatively, follow the Parisian style by creating larger bun-sized puffs filled with roasted chicken.
Cheese puffs can be made in advance and stored at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 8 weeks, making them a convenient option for stress-free hosting. They are a versatile appetizer that can be adapted to suit your taste preferences and paired with a variety of complementary flavours.
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Cheese puffs with wine
Cheese puffs, also known as gougères, are a delightful French pastry that can be served as an appetizer or side dish, and they pair exceptionally well with a glass of wine. The key to achieving the perfect puffiness in cheese puffs is to grate your own cheese and use a hard, low-moisture variety such as Gruyere, Comté, cheddar, or Parmesan.
When crafting your cheese puffs, begin by bringing water, butter, and salt to a boil in a medium pot. For an added kick of flavour, you can substitute water with milk. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as Swiss cheese, or both Swiss and Gruyere for a more complex taste. Additionally, a hint of Dijon mustard can further enhance the savoury profile of your cheese puffs.
Once your liquid ingredients are boiling, remove the pot from the heat and add the dry ingredients, which typically include flour, garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper. Mix vigorously until a dough forms. To this dough base, you can add your grated cheese and other mix-ins like crispy cooked bacon bits or diced ham.
After shaping your dough into balls or using a piping bag for a decorative touch, bake your cheese puffs at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they achieve a golden brown exterior. These puffs can be served warm or cold and are sure to impress your guests, especially when paired with a glass of wine.
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Cheese puffs with soup
Cheese puffs are a versatile snack that can be served as an appetizer, a side dish, or even as a dumpling in soups. They are light, airy, and buttery, with a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior. The dough used to make cheese puffs is similar to that of cream puffs and eclairs, and the key to getting them to puff up is to grate your own cheddar cheese block and mix it with softened butter, flour, and seasonings.
When serving cheese puffs with soup, they can be a delicious substitute for croutons in a split pea soup or simply served on the side. They can also be crumbled into the soup as a topping, adding a cheesy texture and flavor. Some suggested soup pairings include broccoli soup, pumpkin soup, or roasted tomato soup.
Cheese puffs can be made ahead of time and frozen, making them a convenient option for last-minute entertaining. When ready to serve, simply reheat them in the oven for a few minutes until warmed through. This makes them a great option to serve with soup, as they can be prepared in advance and quickly reheated, ensuring a warm and crispy accompaniment to your bowl of soup.
Additionally, cheese puffs can be experimented with by using different types of cheese, such as goat cheese, Gruyere, or Emmenthaler, and adding herbs like thyme, sage, or rosemary to create unique flavor profiles that will complement various soup recipes.
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Sweet treats with cheese puffs
There are a variety of sweet treats that can be served with cheese puffs. Here are some ideas:
Sweet Cheese Puffs
You can make sweet cheese puffs by adding a sweet filling or ingredient to your cheese puffs. For example, you could try making lavender orange sweet cheese puffs, which combine zesty and tasty flavours. Alternatively, you could experiment with adding fruit, lemon curd, or other sweet fillings to your cheese puffs. These sweet cheese puffs can be served as a dessert or sweet treat, and they are perfect for baby showers, parties, or any other special occasion.
Pastry Puffs with Sweet Cheese Filling
Another option is to make pastry puffs with a sweet cheese filling. This filling can be made by beating all the ingredients together at medium speed until they are smooth and fluffy, resembling a cheesecake-like consistency. These pastry puffs can be served as a sweet breakfast option or as a dessert, and they are a fun and pretty treat to make for any occasion.
Charcuterie Board
Creating a chic charcuterie board with a variety of sweet treats to accompany your cheese puffs is another option. You can include items such as cured meats, fruits, cream cheese dips, and your favourite goat cheese salad. This allows your guests to mix and match different flavours and create their own sweet and savoury combinations.
Sweet Sides
Cheese puffs can be served with a variety of sweet sides or dips. For example, you could offer a bowl of creamy tomato or broccoli soup, fresh salads, or even some fruit on the side. These options provide a contrast to the savouriness of the cheese puffs and can enhance the overall taste experience.
With these ideas, you can elevate your cheese puffs and create a delightful spread of sweet treats that will impress your guests and satisfy their sweet tooth!
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese puffs can be made with a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, Gruyere, Swiss cheese, or a blend of multiple cheeses. The base of the mixture typically includes milk, butter, flour, and eggs. Some recipes also include mustard, thyme, and pepper.
The best type of cheese to use is a hard, low-moisture cheese that can be grated. Examples include cheddar, Gruyere, Swiss cheese, or Gouda.
Cheese puffs can be served with cocktails at a dinner party. They can also be paired with a spicy mustard sauce made from mayonnaise, spicy mustard, Worcestershire sauce, shallots, and paprika.
Cheese puffs can be served as a side dish for soup, stew, or any saucy entrée. They can also be filled with ham salad, smoked trout pate, roasted chicken, or deli meats.
Cheese puffs can be stored in a zippered bag at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 8 weeks.
