Asparagus Gougères

I took this past Sunday off from blogging to be with my family, but I certainly had it in the back of my mind and managed to snap a few photos of our meal. I made these little amuse-bouches for a Sunday dinner a while back. With a tweak here and there, we enjoyed them again this past Sunday.

The addition of asparagus and chives adds a springtime essence to the traditional gougeres, as well as some good texture. They are puffed on the inside and delicately crisp on the outside. They may be small in size, but they are big in flavor.

Asparagus Gougères

By Nicole Prep: 20 minsCook: 40 minsTotal: 1 hr 10 mins Servings: 70 gougères These airy and light French cheese puffs are studded with asparagus. They are an elegant and delicious canapé!

Equipment

• Stand mixer
• Pastry bag and tip set
• Pastry bag and tip set

Ingredients 

• 1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed
• 1 cup water
• 4 ounces (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
• Pinch of granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 4 extra-large eggs
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 ½ cups grated Gruyère cheese, about 5 ounces
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions 

1. Position racks in upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 375ºF. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cut the asparagus into ¼-inch rounds. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and simmer until just tender, about 1 minute. Drain immediately and shock the asparagus in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Once cool, drain again and pat dry on paper towels; set aside
3. In a medium saucepan bring water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil, stirring until butter is melted. Add flour all at once and cook over medium heat, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon, until mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan and excess moisture has evaporated, about 2 minutes.
4. Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds to cool slightly. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. (Batter will appear to separate at first, but will then become smooth). Mixture should be stiff enough to hold soft peaks and fall softly from the spoon. Stir in asparagus, cheese, and chives.
5. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip with batter and pipe about 35 mounds onto each prepared baking sheet, or spoon mounded tablespoons ½-inch apart onto each sheet. Bake, switching positions halfway through baking until puffed, golden, and crisp on the outside, 25 to 30 minutes total. Serve the gougères warm. Gougères can be made ahead and cooled completely uncovered, then chilled in sealed bags for 2 days. They may be frozen for 1 week. Reheat uncovered in a 350ºF oven for 10 minutes if chilled and 15 minutes if frozen. Enjoy!

Notes

Recipe can easily be halved

Nutrition

Calories: 32kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 27mg, Potassium: 21mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 126IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.