Feta and Black Pepper Gougeres

Chef's challenge - feta leftover from Costco purchase. With Google's help, tonight I made Feta and Black Pepper Gougeres to go with Greek salad.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 stick butter, cut into 8 or so pieces
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups feta, (drained if water packed), crumbled
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• (optional - 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes cut into bits)

   

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 425 F.
   (You will drop the temperature later.)
2. Heat butter, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
3.  Reduce the heat to medium low, and stir in the flour vigorously with a wooden spoon until it forms into a thick paste. Continue to stir and cook 2 minutes, it should pull away from the sides of the pan.
4. Scoop the flour mixture in a stand mixer bowl and allow to cool about 5 minutes.
5. One at a time, beat in the eggs until each is well incorporated.
   (You will now have a thick shiny paste.)
6. Stir in the cheese & spices.
7. Using small cookie scoop, drop the dough onto parchment paper on a baking sheet about an inch apart.
8. Put the baking sheet in the oven and cook for 10 minutes.
9. Turn the oven down to 350 F.
10. Bake another 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
11. Serve immediately or let cool room temperature.
    (You can also make them ahead and reheat them in a 400 F for a few minutes - but they are best the first day.)

Carole's Notes:

I think this makes about 30 gougeres. Several of these small gougeres go nicely with a Greek salad for dinner.
Recipe is lightly adapted from http://threepointskitchen.com/recipes-3/appetizers/feta-gougeres/