Cheese Puffs

[hka]

Does anyone have a recipe, light or not, on how to make cheese puffs? Not too long ago a friend of mine took me to a tea shop that also serves lunch for my birthday. It was so fun and the food was WONDERFUL!! Anyhow, one of the items that I had was cheese puffs. They were to die for! Okay, I'd never die for a food, but you get my point. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif So, I was curious to see if anyone had a recipe on how to make these. I'd love to make them for my friends baby shower I'm throwing in a month. Provided that they're not too difficult!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif Thanks in advance everyone!

[SusanT]

Could you be talking about cheese straws, perhaps? Is this more like a cracker or do you mean Cheetos?

If it's cheese straws, I've got a recipe I can send you.

[hka]

Hi SusanT,

No, I wouldn't say it was like a cracker. It was more like bread. I'd love to see the recipe you do have though. They sound good. Thanks!

[Jewel]

Why would anyone need to know how to make Cheese Puffs when there is Pirate's Booty sitting there all pretty and nice in a bag just waiting for you?

Or do you mean baking real cheese? Whoops! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[SusanT]

Is it like a popover?

[hka]

Yeah, I think that would be about right SusanT. They were small though. Just a couple of bites per piece.

Jewel, don't you worry, I won't be giving up that Pirate's Booty! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif I'm one of the ones that ordered it from the website! I'm addicted!!

[Grace]

I bet it was puff pastry with cheese sprinkled on it while it was still hot (so it kind of melted in). I saw a guy make these on Baking with Julia before. Does this sound right? If so, I can post a recipe for you....

Otherwise, could you describe it a little more? Was the cheese baked into the dough? Sprinkled on the outside? Baked inside like a fried mozzeralla stick? What kind of cheese? Parmesan? Cheddar? Were they served hot, or room temperature? (Sorry - just so many possibilities!)

[AndreaU]

This is my mom's wonderful recipe that I still make her bake for special (and not so special) occasions:

Cheese Puffs

1/4 lb. butter or margarine
3/4 lb. cheddar cheese, grated
1 t. Worcestershire sauce
1 small onion, grated
Dash of cayenne pepper
2 eggs
1 loaf French bread (crusts removed, cut into one-inch cubes)

In the top of a double boiler over simmering water OR in a ver heavy saucepan over low heat, melt butter and cheese together, stirring well. Blend in Worcestershire, onion and cayenne. Beat in eggs and remove from heat.

Carefully dip each bread cube into cheese mixture, turning to coat thoroughly. Shake off excess cheese mixture. Palce on cookies sheets and freeze. After cubes are frozen, store in airtight plastic bag in freezer.

When ready to use, place frozen cubes on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. Serve hot.

Makes about 4 dozen cheese puffs.

(As you can see, this is a make-ahead recipe. I'm not sure if you'd need to adapt the baking time at all if you skipped the freezing and went right to the oven.)

Hope this is what you're looking for! Enjoy!

[Leanne]

OK - I think I know what you're talking about b/c I just had some Sat night at a restaurant. They're almost like 1"-2" diameter rolls that are very airy & light & have a cheese flaovor to them. Sorry - no recipe - but the rest. I had them at was Fogo de Chao & it's authentic Brazillian - so maybe that will help you locate them.

[hka]

Grace, it did remind me of a pastry. It wasn't cheese filled but more like the cheese was mixed in with the dough and then baked. They were warm when they were served. I could tell they used cheddar cheese but whether they used another kind along with that I'm not sure. Does that help a little? I'm sorry, I hadn't had a cheese puff before this, so I'm probably not helping you too much. I wouldn't mind seeing your recipes when you have a chance to post them. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

AndreaU, thank you for your recipe. It sounds really good and like one I wouldn't mind trying! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif I love the make ahead part especially if I use this for the baby shower.

Leanne, your description was right on. They were very light and airy. I forgot about that part! Thanks for the reminder. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by hka (edited 04-23-2001).]

[ewatkins]

I don't have a recipe but I think these are made like cream puffs, but with a cheesy dough. The French name is Gougere --maybe that will help you search.

[Linda in MO]

I have no idea if these are any good, but I had this recipe saved in MC. Looks good.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Parmesan Puffs

Recipe By :From Portland's Palate... A Collection of Recipes from the City of Roses
Serving Size : 20 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Hot Appetizer

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
5 eggs -- divided
1 1/2 cups freshly-grated Parmesan cheese -- divided

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 1 cookie sheet.

In a saucepan over high heat, combine milk, butter and salt, and bring to a boil. Remove pan from heat, add flour and whisk vigorously for a few minutes. Return pan to medium heat and stir constantly for approximately 5 minutes or until batter has thickened and begins to pull away from sides of pan.

Remove pan from heat again and whisk in 4 of the eggs, one at a time, incorporating each egg before adding the next. Stir in 1 cup of Parmesan cheese.

Drop the batter by teaspoonfuls onto a prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 1 inch apart.

In a small bowl, beat remaining egg. Brush tops of puffs with beaten egg and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until puffy and well-browned.

Yield: 20 puffs

[ashley]

When I was in Brazil last year we ate these all the time - they call it "pan de queso". My sister-in-law is Brazilian and she could buy them at any bakery down there. I don't know how easy they'd be to find here. She's not much of a cook, so she doesn't have a recipe for them! Seems like the new Gusto magazine might be a good place to try and find a recipe - or write them and tell them you're interested in having one.