Ah, the perfect meal is like a symphony – rich and harmonious. Your flavors should complement one another; never argue. You must inspire your guests with your meal’s je ne c'est quoi.
Mon ami, however you create your feast, may I share a few tips?
1. Why serve wine when you can sip Champagne?
Often my friends in the States save champagne for special occasions. However, you can use Champagne to create an oh-so-decadent lunch or dinner. Use champagne and food pairings to create combinations that delight your guests and their taste buds, or pick up an expertly designed champagne package to serve with your meal.
2. Champagne is divine with salty foods.
Saltiness and sweetness is a traditional combination that appeals to everyone’s palette. Champagne will enhance Mexican dishes (guacamole or tortillas), French Fries, popcorn, Thai food, and fish if salt is used. Desserts with a pinch of sweetness are fine (like pound cake, shortbread, or lemon desserts), but steer clear of super-sweet dishes
3. Blanc de Blancs pair perfectly with lighter foods.
Blanc d Blancs are made with Chardonnay grapes and generally go well with lighter foods, like vegetable dishes and seafood, including lobster, crab, and shrimp. Oysters are also a favorite. Blanc de Blancs go well with most cheeses and simple appetizers.
4. Pair Brut Champagnes with heavier dishes.
The dryness of a Brut makes it incompatible with sweets, but it is perfect for heartier dishes. Pair Bruts with turkey, eggs, pasta, mushrooms, lobster, shrimp, nuts, or scallops, Asian dishes, or any fish. Brut also goes well with aged, hard cheese like Parmesan, Gouda, or cheddar.
5. Avoid heavy tomato sauces.
Tomatoes are an acidic fruit, which clashes with the already-high acidity level of Champagne. If you serve tomato-based dishes, your tongue will be overwhelmed. Stick to creamier sauces with butter or mushroom bases.
6. Pair Rosé with pinkish meats, cherries & berries.
The color of a Rosé comes from the addition of pinot noir wine at the second fermentation, or by macerating it with the skins of red grapes. It is best served with the pink meats, such as poultry, lamb, ham, duck, and other game. A surprising but delightful combination is Rosé and BBQ beef.
7. Pair Demi-Sec Champagnes with desserts.
If you’re new to Champagne, “dry” may sound like an unsuitable word. Dry doesn’t mean it won’t quench your thirst; it refers to the lack of sweetness in Champagne. As such, dry Champagnes are perfect for semi-sweet desserts like fruit pastries and chocolate.
But mon ami, please remember: it is your preference that matters, not mine! But never fear, I will always stand by with recommendations as your personal chef de cave!
What is your favorite Champagne food pairing? Comment below!
Written by Henri of Henri's Reserve
Henri’s Reserve is an e-boutique devoted to champagne lovers. We are a gateway to the seductive world of Family Estate bubblies; a place to sit back and indulge in the joie de champagne. Henri’s Reserve offers exceptional grower champagnes with true depth and subtlety—original tastes you won’t find anywhere else. Our collection consists of handcrafted, estate-bottled champagnes produced by houses that ship often less than 5,000 cases a year and produce vastly fewer of their cuvée spéciales.
Quality and exclusivity is what you experience with Henri’s Reserve. Be the “I want to go to their house” host. Don’t serve the same-old-same-old. Help your friends discover the world of Family Estate Champagnes and be the joy delivering gift-giver. Henri’s Reserve opens the world of Champagnes to you with a Champagne Club - receive magnificent bottles of champagne every month with “Henri’s Club.”
Learn more at www.henrisreserve.com.
Interested in writing a guest blog for Henri's Reserve? Send your topic idea to pr@henrisreserve.com.
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Henri's Reserve makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
Photo Credit: nImAdestiny via Compfight cc
Brunch is a far less formal affair than evening dinner, but you still want your guests to have an exceptional experience. If the weather is suitable, host your event outdoors to accentuate a light, breezy feel. Invite your close friends, but encourage them to bring their friends – the casualness of the event makes it a perfect time to build new friendships. Use these eight tips to steer away from the same-old-same-old and make your brunch a cut above the rest.
1. Abolish your own stress.
Naturally, you want your guests to be at ease. If the host is stressed and anxious, your guests will pick up on it. They will feel uncomfortable and out of place. You can avoid tension by preparing for your event in advance so you can spend your time seeing to your guests’ needs and listening to their stories of last night.
Set the table the night before and don’t forget glasses. Fix your Blood Marry mix or mimosa blend. Create a menu that allows for early preparation. Pancakes require your attention, but French toast can be prepared early and baked while you serve drinks. Even crepes can be made ahead of time. If you wish to have eggs, serve quiche or strata. More time with guests will help ease stress.
2. Never limit your event.
Brunch is a flexible event. Some of your guests will have plans for their Saturday or Sunday, but many will have nothing to do. The most successful brunches can last until dinnertime.
Don’t hurry your guests through their meal or give any subtle cues that the event is over. Clear the table, but leave clean up until later. Don’t be afraid to use brunch to springboard into further activities with the group – perhaps a game of tennis or afternoon shopping.
3. Treat them like royalty.
Serve elegant Champagne or add an unexpected element, perhaps something entertaining. The proverbial sparkling cocktail for mornings is the mimosa, a simple mix of Champagne and orange juice. Dial up your party and treat guests to a Champagne tasting. Open a new world to them: the seductive world of boutique, Family Estate Champagnes. While tasting Blanc de Blancs, Rosé, Blanc de Noirs, and more, they will truly feel like royalty. Don’t serve the same-old-same-old Champagnes; show you are in the know. Serve them the same Champagnes they would find in fine restaurants. Be their Master Sommelier.
4. Keep the menu light and surprise them with unusual food pairings.
Late morning meals should be light and airy. Your guests who were up the previous evening won’t be prepared for a heavy meal. Rather than baked breads, serve Danishes and scones.
Fruit is an exceptional complement to any meal. It’s gentle, tasty, hydrating, and the colors break up an otherwise monochromatic plate. Take care to pair your fruit carefully with your chosen Champagne. Pair Blanc de Noirs with egg dishes, smoked salmon, and roasted dishes. Combine Rosés with soft cheese, BBQ, lobster. Enjoy Bruts with hard cheeses, ham, and chicken.
Serve your meats and cheeses in small, pre-sliced portions so your guests can enjoy them without committing to a large helping.
5. Create a dramatic presentation.
Typically, brunch foods are light and simple, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be displayed artfully. They say we eat with our eyes first, so take care to please the visual senses.
Use pedestals or elegant ranks to raise some dishes above others. Mix colors to create contrast. Add colorful garnishes to the dishes and tables to create a vibrant spread.
6. Mind the details.
Choose a color scheme with a variety of bright colors. Since you won’t be hanging decorations, you’ll have to incorporate colors in more traditional ways. Use bright napkins and patterned dinnerware. Be sure to arrange fresh flowers in any place people might gather, whether that’s an entryway, table, or sitting area.
7. Add some fun.
The quintessential brunch is a relaxing affair, but prepare some light entertainment just in case you need ice breakers or added fun. A game of charades, horseshoes, Bocce Ball, or croquet are all low-key activities perfect for brunch. You can set up your dining area outside so that the games can be played while the crowd watches. Another way to add some fun is to offer a Champagne tasting and educate your guests on all the different types of Champagne.
8. Enjoy your company.
Remember the purpose of brunch is to have a relaxing, fun gathering of friends and to even meet new faces. Delegate tasks so you are present with your guests. Guests like to be involved so don’t think twice about asking for help. Assign someone to serve coffee and drinks and ask someone else to help gather plates and utensils no longer being used. Serve your food buffet-style so there is less work bringing dishes in and out of the kitchen to serve.
Brunch is such a delightful occasion and it can be set up easily and with limited stress! Do you have any brunch photos to share? Post on Instagram using #champagnebrunch and #henrisreserve.
Written by Henri of Henri's Reserve
Henri’s Reserve is an e-boutique devoted to champagne lovers. We are a gateway to the seductive world of Family Estate bubblies; a place to sit back and indulge in the joie de champagne. Henri’s Reserve offers exceptional grower champagnes with true depth and subtlety—original tastes you won’t find anywhere else. Our collection consists of handcrafted, estate-bottled champagnes produced by houses that ship often less than 5,000 cases a year and produce vastly fewer of their cuvée spéciales.
Quality and exclusivity is what you experience with Henri’s Reserve. Be the “I want to go to their house” host. Don’t serve the same-old-same-old. Help your friends discover the world of Family Estate Champagnes and be the joy delivering gift-giver. Henri’s Reserve opens the world of Champagnes to you with a Champagne Club - receive magnificent bottles of champagne every month with “Henri’s Club.”
Learn more at www.henrisreserve.com.
Interested in writing a guest blog for Henri's Reserve? Send your topic idea to pr@henrisreserve.com.
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Henri's Reserve makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
Photo Credit: Juan Antonio Capó via Compfight cc
Jun 29, 2014 at 9:20 AM
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pink Champagne. A tad retro wouldn't you say? But I guess that is their color n’est-pas? In France we call them rosés.
Okay, mon ami, let's equip you with some good information...
So rosés are made from red grapes, oui? Mais non, Champagne grapes (chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot meunier) produce white “juice” and it is just the skins that are red. (Yes, this confuses even my Parisian friends…but of course not my Burgundy friends, they love a chance to make my city friends feel naive.)
So how do we make “pink” Champagne (ah, I mean rosé)? Rosé Champagnes are generally made in the same way as blanc (white) Champagnes. However, to get that exquisite rosé color and profile, an extra step is needed. There are two ways:
1. Rosé de Saignée: In a rosé de saignée (such as a Billiot) the juice is allowed to sit for a longer period with the red grape skins, picking up some of the red pigment. The subsequent wine* will have this light red color.
2. Blending: Many rosé Champagnes are made by blending in a red still wine with white Champagne (à la Dumangin). In other words, the producers ferment some red grapes separately to make a red wine and this is later blended in with the white Champagne.
Champagne snobs believe saignée to be the best method, but, as Americans say, I let the Champagnes speak for themselves.
Now go and impress your friends**. But first let’s enjoy a flute, or three, or four of some of my rosé darlings.
*Oui, Champagnes are wines - just wine that has been fermented twice.
**See rosé food pairings to show them the true gourmand you are!
Henri's Truffled Popcorn with Sea Salt & Shaved Pecorino
And mon ami, a Blanc de Blancs would an exquisite complement.
Feb 27, 2014 at 12:15 PM
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Bonjour mon ami,
Planning an Easter brunch? Wanting to do something special and innovative? Perhaps impress your friends with your Champagne savoir faire?
If you haven’t discovered them already, may I introduce you to blanc de noirs? Blanc de noirs are made from 100% pinot noir grapes. So just like the wine, they are rich, smoky, spicy and pair beautifully with savory dishes like eggs, smoked salmon, etc…
May I suggest a boutique Champagne from my Reserve? Fleury “Carte Rouge” will impress in every way.
Bon appetit!
Henri
My boutique Champagnes are all “grower producers “ (a trade term meaning the Champagne is produced on a private estate, by the same family who grows the grapes). For more on the terroir, artistry, and legacies of these families please visit “The Houses”.
Ah, the fall harvest and those voluptuous little grapes.
The fruits of long labor and the beginning of something exquisite. From mid-September 'til early October, my dear friends in Champagne painstakingly study the vineyards, night and day ~ all to capture those goddess-like treasures at the precise moment of perfection.
A fine art not a science. God bless the vingerons!
The oh-so charming, Jean-Hervé Chiquet, proprietor of the famed House of Jacquesson, tells us about their 2012 Harvest.
H: What do you love most about harvest?
JHC: When it’s a super vintage and it’s over! More seriously, it’s Mother Nature’s gift after one year of hard work but it’s also when every single gesture is so important; you have to be quick and precise to extract all the potential of the vintage.
H: Do you have any special harvest traditions?
JHC: The main one is the big barbecue at the end. (More about that below mes amis.)
H: How do you decide what date to start the harvest? For chardonnay grapes? For Pinot noir?
JHC: By checking the ripeness everyday and tasting the grapes: it’s a mix of analysis and feeling.
H: What is different about harvest this year?
JHC: Horrible weather during most of the year brought a difficult flowering and a lot of mildew, so it’s a small crop and many bunches don’t look healthy. But the weather has been good for the past few weeks letting us expect a tiny but very good vintage
H: Do you work around the clock during Harvest? Get any sleep?
JHC: Not really around the clock but the days are pretty long. And you need some sleep to work properly over two weeks: working fast is not enough.
H: Tell us about the Riots of 2011 and how that changed the course of history for your family?
JHC: No such things in France last year, fortunately. But you mean the Riots of 1911 of course! No idea of what really happened; even my grand-parents were too young to really remember.
H: How long is it from picking the grapes until we get to pop the cork?
JHC: Four years minimum for the Cuvée 700, nine years minimum for the single vineyards, 15 years or more for the late disgorged vintages
H: If you could only choose one of your treasures to serve at a dinner this Fall which would it be and why?
JHC: Dizy Corne Bautray 2002 because it’s a very good example of a great terroir in a superb vintage, associating ripeness, depth and minerality and because it’s one of the best match with oysters you can think about. And I love oysters!
H: How do you celebrate when harvest is over?
JHC: Inviting all the pickers, all the staff, wives and husbands, to a huge barbecue at Jacquesson with some good bottles of wine.
H: Jacquesson is described by wine critics as "the Connoisseur's Champagne". If you had to pick one reason, (among the many), what makes that true?
JHC: Our absolute dedication to the best viticulture possible.
Sep 24, 2012 at 10:56 AM
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Literally translated "bathed bread", Pan-Bagnet is a salad Nicoise sandwich...very popular in Provence -- my guests love this recipe.
Ingredients:
1 wide baguette or round white French country bread
extra virgin oil
freshly ground black pepper
1 very small garlic clove minced
2 anchovy fillets minced
1/2 red onion finely sliced into rings
pitted olives Nicoise
capers
1 english cucumber sliced thinly
crisp lettuce
2 hard-boiled eggs sliced
1 jar premium tuna packed in olive oil, drained
Instructions:
1. Cut the bread in size portions and then cut them in half lengthways and scoop out some of the bread filling.
2. Drizzle the bread with olive oil, spread out the minced garlic and anchovy and season with pepper.
3. Fill the hollowed out half with lettuce leaves, red onion slices, cucumbers, olives, capers and tuna.
4. Put the other half of bread on top and wrap snugly in foil.
5. Put a heavy object on top of the sandwiches such as a book or books to flatten it. Leave for an hour or two before serving.
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:43 PM
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In August, on the plane on my way from NYC to the Côte d'Azure, and a well deserved vacation, I was seated next to a femme magnifique. My habit of either working or trying to catch up on sleep any time I´m on plane just had to be altered -- I also told myself to let go of any vain hope that dear Olivia would ever be more just a friend.
I struck up a conversation with the wonderful creature next to me, an absolutely charming American named Audrey. After a while we, of course, reached the topic of Champagne and, to my delight, she seemed interested in my latest obsession: the growing trend of organic and biodynamic winemaking in the Champagne region. We discussed everything from my admiration for the wonderfully crisp and clean Champagnes that Pierre and Sophie Larmandier produce to the pioneering spirit of the Fleury family. (Jean-Pierre Fleury started experimenting with sustainable wine making in the 1970's and the estate is now the largest biodynamic producer in all of Champagne.)
After hours of talking, I finally built up enough courage to ask Audrey to join me for a late (very!) summer picnic lunch on the beach this weekend at Eze-Sur-Mer, where I would be staying with friends. My heart was beating fast and my palms were sweating while I was waiting for her answer (Yes, this happens to French men too!) To my relief, Audrey said that she would be happy to accept my offer and would come up from nearby Nice, where she would be staying.
Well the weekend is almost here and I'm very excited to be putting together our rendezvous.
Here's My plan:
I will first take her on a tour of the cliffside, ancient village of Eze, with its fabulous views over the Mediterranian and St. Jean-Cap Ferrat. If we feel brave enough we will hike down the steep Chemin de Nietzsche or Nietzsche's path to the sea. (The philosopher vacationed here in the 1880's.) I'll have to remind Audrey to wear good walking shoes!
Down at the pebbled beach, we'll stop my friend's house and pick up a blanket and the picnic basket that I will have had prepared for Audrey. I thought that it would be lovely to enjoy some of the Champagnes we discussed on the plane, paired with a few local specialties.
We'll start with a glass of Larmandier Bernier's Terre de Vertus. It's a Blanc de Blancs and a non-dosage wine. This Champagne is perfect at the beginning of a meal. It's elegant with toasty citrus fruit flavors and underlying minerality. While delicate, it has enough richness so that we can enjoy it with Bigorre ham, a few goat cheeses from the area and some rustic bread.
Our second glass will be of Fleury's Carte Rouge. It's a Blanc de Noirs and is made only from Pinot Noir grapes. It is a wonderful food Champagne: it is powerful but still fresh with berryish and biscuitty qualities. I have decided to pair this Champagne with a Pan-bagnat (literally translated, "bathed bread"). A Pan-bagnat is a salad Nicoise sandwich that is very popular in Provence -- you'll love my recipe below!
I'll also need something sweet for my sweet Audrey. As a near-purist when it comes to Champagne, I hardly ever drink Champagne cocktails. I do though love the Rose Royal served at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris: they just place freshly crushed raspberries in a Champagne glass and pour Champagne over them. Simply delicious! I will, of course, have some fresh raspberries and strawberries for us to nibble on.
So dear readers, wish me luck!
Ingredients:
1 wide baguette or round white French country bread
extra virgin oil
freshly ground black pepper
1 very small garlic clove minced
2 anchovy fillets minced
1/2 red onion finely sliced into rings
pitted olives Nicoise
capers
1 english cucumber sliced thinly
crisp lettuce
2 hard-boiled eggs sliced
1 jar premium tuna packed in olive oil, drained
Instructions:
1. Cut the bread in size portions and then cut them in half lengthways and scoop out some of the bread filling.
2. Drizzle the bread with olive oil, spread out the minced garlic and anchovy and season with pepper.
3. Fill the hollowed out half with lettuce leaves, red onion slices, cucumbers, olives, capers and tuna.
4. Put the other half of bread on top and wrap snugly in foil.
5. Put a heavy object on top of the sandwiches such as a book or books to flatten it. Leave for an hour or two before serving.
Champagne Facts:
"Organic Farming" means that the grapes are grown without using herbicides, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or genetically modified seeds.
"Biodynamic" method of farming is a holistic management approach that incorporates organic farming, but also treats the vineyard as it's own self-sustaining ecosystem. (The vineyard is managed as a living organism, not just rows of grapevines and there is a strong emphasis on the relationship between plants, soil, animals and the lunar cycle.)
"Blanc de Blancs" literally means "white of whites" and that the Champagne is made from only Chardonnay grapes.
"Blanc de Noirs" means "white from blacks" and that the Champagne is made from only black grapes (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier or a blend of the two).
"Zero Dosage" means that the winemaker skips adding the small amount of sweet wine that is usually added to the still wine just before bottling.
Sep 6, 2012 at 7:53 PM
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Alas, mes amis, while Paris will not be the same without our presence for this year's Bastille Day festivities, Olivia and Frederick insist we throw a Champagne soirėe to celebrate with close friends at THE best place - "the Garden of Eden", my home in Champagne.
Why the celebration? For the French, my dear friends, the July 14, 1789 storming of the Bastille (a fortress and prison in Paris) by an angry mob marked the beginning of the French revolution, the demise of the monarchy and the birth of modern France. In France, Bastille Day is referred to as La Fête Nationale or just plainly le quatorze juillet (July 14th). Festivities are held throughout France, and in my village we celebrate with dancing, music and parties in the street, and of course, the piece de resistance - a spectacular fireworks display.
"Paris again, Henri?" The slight hint of sarcasm in Olivia's voice insisted on a different type of celebration this year. So, mes amis, I can't think of a better way for all to celebrate than to indulge in my reserve of artisanal Champagnes paired with some simple and delicious foods. Create your own unique village celebration with the suggestions that follow - viva la difference!
How to Set the Mood
Decorate your party space in the colors of the drapeau tricolore (the French flag). Most of us have white tableware so just adding red and blue napkins will put a French twist on things. (You might even have some left over from celebrating 4th of July.) Add a lovely touch by adding bouquets of red, blue and white flowers around the room.
Use coupe glasses for the Champagne. Legend has it that the coupe glass was molded from Marie Antoinette's left breast….as Frederick, would say, "talk about a personalized gift!"
Of course, it wouldn't be Bastille Day without singing La Marseillaise (the French national anthem) a few times, how fun it would be to request that your guests bring their favorite French (or French-themed) music. I love Edith Piaf and Malcolm McLaren's Paris album.
Add real joie de vive - encourage your guests to dress up a la 1790! Or at least in their favorite French designer's latest creation!
What to Drink and Serve
I'm a big believer in keeping things simple. Hosting parties should be fun, not a source of anxiety! For example, if you're not set on exactly what kind of Champagne you're planning to serve, I would recommend ordering my Tasting Sampler. It's a great way to let your guests sample three different styles of Champagne. It also makes for great conversation -- who doesn't love to compare notes on which wine went particularly well with a certain dish?!
Bastille Day is not associated with any particular food. This gives you the flexibility to serve your favorite French dishes without feeling that you're breaking with tradition. In this instance, I'm going to take advantage of how wonderfully Champagne pairs with salty, savory and rich foods. However, I will not at all feel offended if you create your own menu.
Henri's Menu
Oysters
French Baguettes
Aged Gouda, Parmesan, Brie, Chėvre
French Dry Salami known as 'Saucisson Sec'
Smoked Salmon with Crėme Fraîche and Chives on Toasted Brioche
Gruyère Gougères
Bacon and Gruyère Quiche & Salmon and Broccoli Quiche with Herb and Salmon Roe Sauce
Raspberries and Strawberries
Salmon and Broccoli Quiche with Herb and Salmon Roe Sauce
Crust:
• 1-1/4 cups flour
• 10-1/2 tbsp butter
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 tbsp water
Filling:
• 3/8 lb chopped broccoli, slightly parboiled
• 1/4lb smoked salmon
• 3/4 cup cream
• 1/2 milk
• 3/4 grated gruyėre
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tbsp chopped dill
• 2 tbsp chopped chives
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Sauce:
• crême fraîche
• 1 tsp of French mayonnaise
• chopped dill
• chopped parsley
• chopped chives
• chopped red onion
• salmon roe
• black pepper
Instructions:
• Mix the ingredients for the pie crust and let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 min.
• Pre-bake the crust 10 min. at 400 F.
• Combine the eggs, heavy cream, grated cheese, dill, chives and pepper in a mixing bowl and whisk until evenly blended.
• Fill the crust with the smoked salmon and parboiled broccoli. Pour over the egg mix.
• Bake for about 35 min. at 400 F, but keep checking it.
• Mix the ingredients for the sauce, cover it and put in the refrigerator.
• Remove the quiche from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Let the quiche rest for about 20 min. before serving. Can be served hot, warm or at room temperature.
Bacon and Gruyėre Quiche
Crust:
• 1-1/4 cups flour
• 10-1/2 tbsp butter
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 tbsp water
Filling:
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 cup minced onion
• 3 large eggs
• 1-1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup grated gruyère cheese
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions:
• Mix the ingredients for the pie crust and let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 min.
• Pre-bake the crust 10 min. at 400 F.
• Heat the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until golden, about 8 minutes. Remove and reserve.
• Combine the eggs, heavy cream, grated cheese, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl and whisk until evenly blended. Stir the bacon and onion into the egg mixture. Spread the egg mixture evenly in the quiche crust.
• Bake for about 35 min. at 400 F, but keep checking it.
• Remove the quiche from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Let the quiche rest for about 20 min. before serving. Can be served hot, warm or at room temperature.
Gruyėre Gougėres
These little golden puffs are heavenly with Champagne. Makes 40 1 1/2 inch Gougères.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2-3eggs
• 2/3 cup grated gruyère cheese
• 1 tsp. dry mustard powder
• Cayenne pepper, a couple dashes or to taste
Instructions:
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Add the water to a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the water is hot (steaming, but not boiling), add the butter, salt and sugar. Stir occasionally until the butter is completely melted. Lower the heat and stir the butter mixture with a wooden spoon vigorously as you gradually add the flour. Keep stirring vigorously until the mixture comes to together and starts forming a tacky ball in the pan (When you press your hand on the ball of dough it sticks but easily releases without leaving much if any dough on your hand.)
• Turn the dough out into a large mixing bowl. With an electric mixer, beat in the eggs, one at a time on medium speed. You want the dough to be smooth, firm and waxy. If your dough is not smooth after beating in two eggs, you may want to add an extra egg, or half an egg. It is important that the dough is firm enough to stand up in round balls when you spoon it onto a cookie sheet without spreading. It should be as firm as cookie dough, but it is much softer and lighter.
• After adding the eggs, use a wooden spoon to stir in the cheese, mustard and cayenne. Spoon small one inch balls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The Gougėres are done when they are lightly browned on top and brown on the bottom. Immediately after taking them out of the oven, us a paring knife to make a small slit in the side of each puff. This will release some of the hot air inside and prevent the puffs from "sweating" and losing their crispness. Serve warm or at room temperature.
"L'avenir d'un enfant est l'oeuvre de sa mère" - the future of a child is the work of his mother.
Bonne Fête des Mères!
À toi toujours,
Henri
(To my American friends - in France we celebrate our Mother's on June 3...so mes amis, yet another reason to try the oh-so exquisite Diebolt-Vallois Prestige)
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"Let me be your personal chef de cave. Sit back, relax, and I'll choose for you."