French Fridays with Dorie: Gougeres

Happy Friday everyone!  I just joined the cooking group, French Fridays with Dorie and we're collectively cooking our way through her cookbook, Around My French Table.  I was a part of the baking group, Tuesdays with Dorie a while back, but I had to quit when I moved to El Paso. I couldn't find the time to do it with work.  By the time things had died down here, the group had closed to new membership and I couldn't wait for another group to start.

I have to admit, when you flip through Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan, it can be a little intimidating especially to someone who spends more time baking then cooking.  And French recipes at that?  Totally out of my comfort zone.  But that's exactly what I want this experience to be.  I want it to challenge me!  And the recipes in the book are just downright tantalizing and I can't wait to try them and share them with my family and friends.

Dorie Greenspan herself chose this entire month's worth of recipes--and what a great and easy start with the Gougeres, which are essentially cheesepuffs.  Honestly, the cheese rolls at Red Lobster don't stand a chance against these guys.  They are fantastic, light and fluffy, especially right out of the oven.  They were so easy to make.  Just a few ingredients and in and out of the oven in just under an hour. 

The recipe calls for Gruyere or cheddar cheese.  I was sorely disappointed that I didn't get the Gruyere this time around.  I used what I had around the house, which was cheddar.  I can't wait to do it with Gruyere and do try several variations--perhaps putting in some garlic!  Yum!

Supposedly, you can find these all over France.  My best friend, Chrissy, and I visited France for a day during our R&R from Iraq.  I guess we didn't look hard enough because it would have been fabulous to try these out over there.

Dorie recommended enjoying these with a glass of white wine, champagne or kir.  I served ours up with a white wine and a pasta dish.  She was right-on!  Because it's just the hubby and me, I baked us half a dozen.  I froze the rest on the pans, waited for them to get solid and put them in plastic freezer bags.  Now they'll be instantly ready to enjoy whenever I feel like treating myself again.  I have about 1 1/2 dozen in the freezer.

Unfortunately, the cooking group doesn't allow us to post the recipes, so you'll have to go out and get the cookbook yourself.  Not only is it a spectacular compilation of recipes, but Dorie tells such wonderful stories about her experiences.  Definitely recommend it!