The countdown is on at our house. According to my eldest son, the Superbowl is only 25 days away. In most households, the Superbowl is a good reason to spend an afternoon with friends over plates of nachos and chicken wings, and make some friendly wagers. In a house with two young boys, however, it is so much more. Football stats are being studied, posters of favorite players are plastered on bedroom walls, and playoff games are being watched with intense fervor. Although I grew up in Canada as a devout Vancouver Canucks fan, I have come to appreciate American football. Hockey, of course, will always be the sport closest to my heart (don’t want to have my Canadian citizenship revoked now, do I?), but I can now talk about the Colts’ offense and the Ravens’ defense with the best of them.
One of the best parts of the Superbowl ritual, besides the game and the ads, is the food. The classics, such as Smoky Turkey Chili with Chipotle Pepper & Beans and Dijon & Thyme Roasted Chicken Drumsticks will make an appearance. However, it’s time to shake things up a little. Several months ago, I became enraptured by the ease and tastiness of Sage & Gorgonzola Gougères. Since football and sweaty men will be involved, “manly” ingredients like bacon and cheese seem more appropriate. These cheese puffs are sure to please any football fan.
Place 2 strips bacon in a cold skillet set over medium heat. Yes, there are 3 strips in the picture. I’m an enthusiastic bacon fryer. Cook until the bacon is crisp. Remove bacon from pan and set on a paper towel to drain.
In medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat 1/2 cup water, 3 tablespoons butter (cut into small pieces), and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Do not boil the mixture. Once the butter melts, stir in 1/2 cup flour. Stir quickly until the mixture binds together. Continue to stir for another minute, while the pot sits on the heat.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let the mixture cool slightly. Stir in 2 eggs, one at a time. Ensure that the first egg is fully combined into the mixture before adding the second egg.
Stir in 1 1/2 strips bacon, crumbled, 1/4 cup grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese, and 1 tablespoon chopped scallions.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Spoon batter onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Each gougère should be 1 to 2 inches in diameter, and they should be spaced 1 1/2 inches apart. If you choose, you can be a little bit fancier. Using a 1/2-inch plain cake decorating tip, or just coupler, pipe the batter onto the parchment paper.
Bake, without opening the door, for 10 minutes and then lower the temperature to 375 degrees F for another 15 minutes, or until the gougère are golden brown and crisp on the outside. Pierce each gougère with a small, sharp knife to release the steam, which will stop them from becoming soft. Serve immediately.
If the gougères lose their crispness, reheat them in a 375 degree F oven for 3 minutes.
Other gougère recipes:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Sage & Gorgonzola Gougères
Oishii Eats’ Gruyère Thyme Gougères
Eggs on Sunday’s Goat Cheese & Herb Gougères
Sugarlaws’ Gougères with Prosciutto & Shaved Parmesan
Bacon, Cheddar Cheese & Scallion Gougères (Cheese Puffs)
2 strips bacon
1/2 water
3 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1/4 cup grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1 tbsp chopped scallions
Place 2 strips bacon in a cold skillet set over medium heat. Cook until the bacon is crisp. Remove bacon from pan and set on a paper towel to drain.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat water, butter, and salt over medium heat. Do not boil the mixture. Once the butter melts, stir in flour. Stir quickly until the mixture binds together. Continue to stir for another minute, while the pot sits on the heat. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let the mixture cool slightly. Stir in 2 eggs, one at a time. Ensure that the first egg is fully combined into the mixture before adding the second egg. Stir in 1 1/2 strips crumbled bacon (reserve remaining bacon for another use), cheese, and scallions.
Spoon batter onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Each gougère should be 1 to 2 inches in diameter, and they should be spaced 1 1/2 inches apart. If you choose, you can be a little bit fancier. Using a 1/2-inch plain cake decorating tip, or just coupler, pipe the batter onto the parchment paper.
Bake, without opening the door, for 10 minutes and then lower the temperature to 375 degrees F for another 15 minutes, or until the gougère are golden brown and crisp on the outside. Pierce each gougère with a small, sharp knife to release the steam, which will stop them from becoming soft. Serve immediately.
If the gougères lose their crispness, reheat them in a 375 degree F oven for 3 minutes.
Makes about 30 small gougères.
Divina Pe
Oh yum. That is so wonderful – bacon and cheese and superbowl.
Ruth
Wow, these look so moorish!!
Eat My Tortes
These look like really good little finger food bites. Nice work 🙂
B & D
super delish combination…nice recipe 🙂
B & D
super delish combination…nice recipe 🙂
Angie's Recipes
Splendid! They look just inviting!
Carol Egbert
So much more elegant than refried bean dip. Great idea.
5 Star Foodie
Yum! These sound so good with bacon, perfect savory bites!
Chef E
I think I can smell them! This is a recipe even I might be able to pull off, since I just do not have that baking touch…well, most of the time…
Tasty Eats At Home
These look great – and yes, would please any football-watching man! (and woman!)
Emily Ziegler
These are right up my alley.. thank you for sharing!!
Valerie
Looks wonderfully delish!
Vegetable Matter
These look great. Do you think fake bacon would work, or too dry?
bonnie
These would be great for superbowl, great idea!!
Melanie
What a unique and delicious appetizer. And I agree, football watching is all about the food (although my husband and boys would strongly disagree).
Jenn
Ooo…I've got to get my superbowl menu finalized. Or at least a tentative one. These puffs are the perfect snacks. Cheese and BACON!!!!! Perfect for football.
citronetvanille
I adore gougères, I remember you made some a while ago, and those look beautiful. How can someone not love gougères? BTW, your new picture looks great!
kathyvegas
Absolute perfection!
Laura
Ok that's the last straw. You need a cookbook, there's no ifs ands or buts about it. I shake my head in amazement at the creative delicious stuff you post so regularly and they are always, consistently fabulous. Please reserve one copy for me 🙂
-Laura
natalie
I love Gougeres. I've only made them with parm and gruyere, so I will definitely try your recipe next time. What a great idea!
MaryMoh
These look cute and delicious. Great bites when watching TV. I'll probably over eat. Thanks for sharing.
Jessie
delicious savory cheese puffs! I could be snack on these all day
Drick
wonderful … love the look and know these babies taste great … thanks for the tip on the steam…
April Cavin
If football disappeared from the planet I would be totally fine. However, if football FOOD disappeared I would panic– it's the only reason I'll watch a game. If these little bites were around I would be glued to the game!
Tasty Trix
I'm with April – I won't be watching the game, but I could definitely see myself chowing down on these amazing puffs!!
Miranda
This looks so yum! I love a good cheesy gooey bread. Well done, CC!
The Chickenless Chick
The texture looks amazing! I will definitely be trying these out.
Cookin' Canuck
Thanks so much for all of your positive comments. These are great on their own, but also are the perfect accompaniment to soup, chili, or stew.
Table Talk
Having daughters, the focus here is more on what's on sale at the mall…my husband is out numbered, poor guy. We do enjoy all of the food that goes along with football season, and these little treats are something we would all love!
wasabi prime
Lovely! I was just thinking of doing gougeres again — I will take this as a sign to proceed!
multiplydelicious
These look delicious and a great snack for anytime. I think my whole family would love these.
Thanks for sharing!
Maggy
These look incredible! I'm having a house-warming party on Friday – think these might feature 🙂 But first I'm making that chicken from yesterday…..
Maria
What a great snack for parties and game days!
Michelle
How funny! I just printed out a recipe for Cheese Puffs last night!
Deliscious!
Tracy
These look delightful! Perfectly savory.
Jenny
What little cutie bites!! So yummy!
How To: Simplify
These look absolutely delicious!