Alain Ducasses GougÈres Recipes

GOUGERES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a small mixing bowl, add the grated cheese and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper to the half-recipe of pate a choux. With a rubber spatula, scoop the pate a choux into the pastry bag and pipe out approximately 25 (1-inch) rounds, spaced 1 to 2 inches apart on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush lightly with the beaten egg and place in the oven. Cook until golden and puffed, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool briefly on a baking rack. Serve hot or at room temperature.
• In a small saucepan over high heat, bring the water, salt, sugar, and butter to a boil, making sure the butter is completely melted. Off the heat, add the flour all at once and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon. Return to the heat and continue beating until the dough forms a solid, smooth mass and pulls away from the sides of the saucepan. Take off the heat and empty the dough into a clean mixing bowl. Little by little add the beaten eggs, beating vigorously in between each addition, until the dough forms a smooth, supple mass. Divide the dough into 2 even quantities, 1 part to be used for the gougeres, the other for profiteroles.

ALMOND GOUGERES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Add the milk, butter and salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the all-purpose flour and almond flour; stir vigorously using a heat-proof spatula. Cook, stirring constantly, until a dense dough that pulls away from the side of the pot forms, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and run briefly to cool a bit. Add 1 egg at a time, making sure the egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the Gruyere, pepper and thyme; mix until just combined.
• Using a 1-tablespoon scoop, drop the dough onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Top with a sprinkle of cheese. Bake until puffed up and browned in color, 30 to 40 minutes.

ALAIN DUCASSE'S GOUGERES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, milk, butter and salt and bring to a boil. Add the flour and stir it in with a wooden spoon until a smooth dough forms; stir over low heat until it dries out and pulls away from the pan, about 2 minutes.
• Scrape the dough into a bowl; let cool for 1 minute. Beat the eggs into the dough, 1 at a time, beating thoroughly between each one. Add the cheese and a pinch each of pepper and nutmeg.
• Transfer the dough to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip and pipe tablespoon-size mounds onto the baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Sprinkle with cheese and bake for 22 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Serve hot, or let cool and refrigerate or freeze. Reheat in a 350° oven until piping hot.