Smoked Cheddar & Ham Gougeres
Contributed by: News Canada
(NC) - For brunch, tea or special occasions, an elegant but simple hors d'oeurvre.
Prep Time: 20 minutes - Baking Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (250mL) water
- pinch of salt1/2 cup (125mL) Lactantia butter
- 1 cup (250mL) all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup (125mL) finely chopped smoked ham
- 1 cup (250mL) finely grated Balderson Double Smoked Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup (250mL) coarsely grated Balderson Double Smoked Cheddar Cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
Bring water, salt, and butter to a boil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir constantly over low heat until mixture forms a ball and comes away from the side of the pan. Cool for 3 minutes off heat. Add eggs one at a time, beating with spoon until fully incorporated into the mix. Stir in ham and finely grated Balderson Double Smoked Cheddar Cheese.
Use two tablespoons (30 mL) to place walnut-sized balls of dough on parchment-lined baking sheet. Wet fingers and gently flatten tops of the gougères. Dough may also be piped onto parchment to form 2-inch (5 cm) diameter rings.
Bake for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining coarsely grated Balderson Double Smoked Cheddar Cheese and return to oven for 5 minutes. Cover lightly with foil if they seem to be browning too quickly. Serve warm.
Tip:
Can be made ahead of time and frozen.
Serving Size: Makes 36 Servings