French Cheese Puffs (Gougeres)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C / 425°F (200°C fan). Lightly grease 2 trays then line with parchment / baking paper.
2. Place water, butter and salt in a saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil until butter is full melted.
3. Remove from stove, add flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Mix until incorporated.
4. Return to stove on LOW heat and mix for 1 minute (this dries the mixture out, see video for before/after).
5. Remove from stove, leave for 2 minutes.
6. Add 1 egg, mix vigorously until incorporated - batter splits at first, but it always comes together!
7. Add 3 more eggs, one at a time, mixing until incorporated before adding the next. Good arm workout! (Or use electric beater)
8. Stir in 2 cups cheese.
9. Drop 1 tablespoon mounds onto trays (small cookie scoop is ideal, otherwise use a measuring tablespoon and a teaspoon to scrape out. Can make larger - good for dunking!)
10. Brush with yolk, then top with a pinch of reserved Cheese for topping.
11. Bake 25 minutes.
12. Allow to cool for 15 minutes so they become crusty and inside dries out a bit.
13. Serve warm as pre dinner nibbles, finger food at gatherings, or dunk into soups and stews!