Aunt Nancys Cheese Puffs Recipes

CHEESY PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the milk and heat until small bubbles start to form around the edges. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture is smooth and glossy and a dough ball forms. (The dough should start to pull away from the edges of the pan.)
• Transfer the dough to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix in 5 of the eggs, one at a time, on medium speed until completely combined. Stir in the salt, pepper and 3/4 cup of the Gruyere.
• Spoon large tablespoons of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between each puff. Whisk the remaining egg and use it to brush the tops of the puffs. Sprinkle over the remaining 1/4 cup Gruyere.
• Bake until puffed and golden, about 25 minutes. Serve hot.

CHIVE AND CHEDDAR CHEESE PUFFS

Steps:

• 1. Arrange one oven rack in the top third of the oven and the other in the bottom third. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• 2. In a large saucepan, heat the milk, water, butter, salt, and cayenne over medium heat to a simmer, stirring to melt the butter. Turn off the heat and add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously until smooth and a thin film of dough sticks to the bottom of the pan. Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl.
• 3. Using an electric mixer, beat the dough on low speed for 1 minute to cool it down. Raise the speed to medium and add the eggs, one at a time, beating very well after each addition. Continue beating, scraping down the bowl occasionally, until the batter is shiny, smooth, and elastic. Reduce the speed to low and beat in the cheese and chives.
• 4. Drop the batter by teaspoons onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the mounds 1 inch apart. Bake for 15 minutes, switch the positions of the baking sheets, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes longer or until golden brown, domed, and firm to the touch. Serve warm.

CHEESE PUFFS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring the water, butter, salt and cayenne to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. Stir in Gruyere and mustard. , Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 425° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or cold.

MARINATED CHEESE

Steps:

• In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine the olive oil, wine vinegar, pimento, parsley, green onion, garlic, sugar, basil, salt and pepper. Shake vigorously to blend. Set aside.
• Cut the block of Cheddar cheese in half lengthwise. Cut crosswise into 1/4 inch slices to form squares. Repeat with cream cheese. Arrange cheese squares alternately in a shallow baking dish with slices standing on edge. You can arrange in a single long row, or 2 parallel rows depending on the size of your dish. Pour the marinade from the jar over the cheese slices, cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
• To serve, remove slices to a serving platter so they are still arranged in an alternating pattern. Spoon some of the extra marinade over the cheese, and serve with crackers.

NANCY'S CHICKEN IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and place in hot oil; cook for 5 minutes, turning to brown evenly. Remove skillet from heat.
• Roll out pastry shells as thinly as possible so that it is big enough to fit around a chicken breast. Spread 2 ounces of cream cheese on one chicken breast, place in the center of a pastry sheet; fold the pastry around the chicken, and pinch the pastry edges together very tightly to seal. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Place the pastry-wrapped chicken breasts on a greased baking sheet.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown.