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Asparagus Cheese Puffs

Asparagus Cheese Puffs
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These delightful little puffs are called gougères (rhymes with "blue hair") in France and are a favorite served with a glass of white wine before a meal. But the only way this recipe will appeal to everyone is if you use plenty of cheese, lots of fresh asparagus, a good dash of cayenne, and salt. Don't be shy with this one: serve them hot so they will melt in your mouth.

Makes 36 puffs to serve 6

TO DRINK: Pouilly-Fumé

Ingredients

1/2 pound asparagus, ends trimmed
3/4 cup whole milk
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 10 pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for the pot
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup coarsely grated dry sheep's milk cheese, such as pecorino or Manchego
1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Instructions

Cut the asparagus into 1/4-inch lengths. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus and simmer until just tender, about 1 minute. Drain immediately and reserve.

In a heavy saucepan, bring the milk and butter to a boil over medium-high heat. In the meantime, sift together the 1/2 teaspoon salt, flour, and cayenne. As soon as the milk comes to a boil and the butter has melted, remove the pan from the heat and add the flour mixture all at once. With a wooden spoon, beat the mixture until it thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 1 minute. Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Do not add another egg until the previous one has been thoroughly incorporated. Let cool for 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with lightly buttered parchment paper.

Add the asparagus, sheep's milk cheese, and Parmigiano to the dough and mix together. Spoon rounded teaspoons of the dough 1 inch apart onto the baking sheets. Bake in the middle of the oven until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the puffs from the parchment and serve immediately.

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