Friday, October 1, 2010

French Fridays with Dorie- Gougères

Gougères for French Fridays With Dorie

Today was the first rainy day we've had in a while, and tonight when I got home from work heavenly smells were coming from the kitchen- hubby was putting together some beef and barley soup for supper. And what's better than a steaming bowl of soup on a chilly rainy evening? I can answer that... It's a steaming bowl of soup accompanied by these cheesy little puffs, gougères. 

I've been in a culinary rut recently, and when I got the chance to join a group that's baking through Dorie Greenspan's newest book, Around My French Table, I decided to take the plunge and venture a little bit out of my comfort zone.  I love Dorie's books- reading one of her recipes is like having a best friend in the kitchen with me. She shares the background of each recipe and also ways that she might change it up in her own kitchen- the photographs alone keep me poring over the pages.

Dorie recommends serving these with champagne, but tonight was was more of a "soup and hot tea" night here. They were great with hubby's soup, but I'm thinking that the possibilities for these savory little puffs are endless. Dorie (sounds like we're on a first name basis here, doesn't it?) says that these freeze well unbaked, so I scooped some of them onto cookie sheets and froze them for later. They'll be great quick appetizers either by themselves or stuffed with chicken salad or even a little bit of herbed cheese.

We've been asked to not share Dorie's recipes, but I found this one for the gougères that Dorie shared herself on NPR a couple of years ago. Enjoy!

44 comments:

  1. I just love Dorie! I can't wait to peruse her new book. This sounds like it was the perfect accompaniment to a wonderful rainy day meal. I have never even heard of gougeres, but they sound and look delightful. Thanks for sharing this with us!

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  2. These look wonderful. I've never heard of Dorie. I have to get this book and join this group. Thank you for introducing this.
    Rita

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  3. Man these gougeres look fantastic! I adore Dorie! I ordered the book and will eventually take part in this group...should my book ever arrive!

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  4. The idea of freezing these to bake later sounds really good. Your picture is gorgeous!

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  5. Looks like you had a very hearty and tasty meal!

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  6. I don't have any of Dorie's book but have tried a few of her recipes and all have been amazing. I would much prefer eating these with soup as you did rather than champagne (although I won't turn down champagne). I liked the idea of stuffing them with some herbed cheese or chick salad too. They look great!!

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  7. I saw a few gougères recipes on blogs today and I just want to make it too! I've never cooked it but I'm sure I would love these little sweetness. I love anything with cheese! I will have to get to work soon!

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  8. These look wonderful, definitely a great accompaniment to beef and barley soup which I love. I have to run to the library and get one of Dorie's books. Lately, I have been hearing a lot about her on different blogs but have never read any of her cookbooks. Thanks for the tip:) I cannot believe you came home to home-cooked soup....you are a lucky girl. My hubby can barely boil water..lol

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  9. What do I have to do to be able to come home from work to my husband making dinner? :) Your gougeres look just perfect!

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  10. Oh, those are some gorgeous gougeres! They remind me of the cream puffs I just made today... I'll be sharing that recipe soon!

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  11. These look so yummy - can't wait to try. First time to your blog and first time to hear of Dorie. I am excited!

    Susan www.ugogrrl.com

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  12. Those look amazing...light and fluffy but so much flavor. Great idea on stuffing them. Yum!

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  13. Gorgous gougeres! And the soup sounds good, too!

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  14. I wish I would have thought to freeze some (unbaked). Sigh. I guess I will have to make more! Beautiful photo!

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  15. Yours turned out really well - I like your stuffing ideas, too.

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  16. I love gougeres...and yours look like they're going to float off the plate! I did a post last Super Bowl and made little sandwiches out of gougeres. Everyone loved them.
    But you reminded me..I don't use them nearly enough just alone for appetizers.

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  17. Great minds think alike! I made cheese gougeres a while back and they were, as you said, delicious! :D Perfect for a soup!

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  18. These gougeres look wonderful! Nice to serve them with some soup!

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  19. Looks really good. I have to go to the bookstore to take a peek at Dorie's new book, after all the fuss and reviews about this book! Is this book good? Couldn't wait to get this book in my hands! I can guess that this won't be cheap!

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  20. Beautiful photo! You've really captured the puffy interior! So glad Dorie is getting you out of your "rut" - looks like you're starting out wonderfully!

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  21. Everyone has been praising Dories new book, I can't wait to see it for myself. Your gougeres came out perfect!

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  22. Ooh, chicken salad; great filling idea.

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  23. I love gougeres with soup!

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  24. I jumped on this post when I saw "French Fridays" and it certainly didn't disapoint. I love that you served them with soup...how delicious!!

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  25. I love that you can freeze these unbaked. They look delicious!

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  26. Oh, they look great! I definitely want to get my hands on this book =)

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  27. Great job, your look particularly gorgeous

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  28. Soup on a rainy, cold day sounds wonderful. I could definitely go for one of those days and meals! And definitely gougeres :) Delicious!

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  29. Oh man! Your gougeres look even better than Dorie's. I need to get this book ASAP. I want gougeres!

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  30. I love those cheesy little puffs of goodness, and would especially like them filled with a little bit of chicken salad. Delish.

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  31. Oh my, I love gougeres! We made them for a 'Bistro' style cooking class in spring and they were so delicious. Yours look wonderful!

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  32. I love gougeres. It's so amazing to me how you're able to get so much flavor out of such a small and lightweight pastry.

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  33. Wow .... these look delish. All I'd need is glass of wine and I would be good to go.

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  34. I haven't tried any of Dorie's recipes...yet. These gougeres looks deliciously light and airy. I know I'd be addicted with the first bite!

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  35. Oh, this looks just fantastic. It is breakfast time and I think these would be great for breakfast too. Yum, yum, yum. I will try these now that the weather is changing. I just crave warm from the oven bready things - there goes low carb!

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  36. You are so right! Beef and barley soup and cheesy little puffs are perfection on a blustery evening.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  37. Wanted you to know I made these the other night. Everyone LOVED them!

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  38. Oh wow. I've never made these before! Printing!

    Did the cookies scoop ok? I sometimes have to scoop them too or add more flour. The recipe is so old I think we must have different flour and softer raisins now.

    Laura

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  39. Darn no recipe! Oh well, I've added Dorie's book to my wish list.

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  40. Love gougers!! I have made them a couple of times, got the recipe from the french food show from Laura Calder.. amazing!

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  41. I have never tried gougères. Now I must!

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  42. I missed out on the October recipes - oh I shall be trying the gourges! I love your photos. So gorgeous!

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Thanks for stopping by scrambled hen fruit! I appreciate all of your comments and look forward to reading them.