Goat Cheese Gougère with Herbs and Garlic
A savory French gougère bread combining goat cheese, garlic, and fresh herbs for a rich and flavorful appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups water
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 ¼ cups unbleached flour
- ¼ cup whole-wheat flour
- 6 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
- 5 ounces chèvre (goat cheese), fresh or aged, or feta
- ¼ cup fresh chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
- 3 tablespoons each chives and marjoram
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seed (optional)
Instructions
- Butter and flour a large baking sheet. In a medium saucepan, heat the water, butter, salt, and pepper over medium heat, stirring until the mixture comes to a boil.
- Add the flour all at once and beat with a wooden spoon for about 1 minute, until the mixture begins to form a ball. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Transfer the mixture to a food processor and add the eggs one at a time, beating until smooth and satiny after each addition.
- Break the goat cheese into large pieces or crumble the feta and add it to the processor with parsley, chives, marjoram, and garlic. Process until just blended.
- Drop the dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet, forming a large wreath shape. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
- Bake until well-browned, about 35 minutes. Serve immediately or while warm.
