Cacio e pepe cheese puffs are a delightful combination of creamy, cheesy flavors and a crispy, light texture. Originating from the vibrant culinary scene of Rome, Italy, this delectable treat has gained popularity worldwide due to its simplicity and explosion of flavors. Crafted with a blend of Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheeses, these airy puffs are seasoned with freshly ground black pepper, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. Whether served as an appetizer, a party snack, or simply a delightful treat, cacio e pepe cheese puffs are sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
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CACIO E PEPE CHEESE PUFFS
Ina Garten's 12th cookbook, "Modern Comfort Food," was published in October 2020. As always, she seemed to have her finger on the culinary zeitgeist: Comfort was the order of the day. These puffs, which she adapted from the Brooklyn chef Missy Robbins, combine the richness of classic gougères with the bite of black pepper and Parmesan.
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories snack, finger foods, pastries, appetizer
Time 45m
Yield 40 to 50 puffs
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Arrange two racks so they are evenly spaced in the oven.
- In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup milk with the butter, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper over medium just until bubbles start to form around the perimeter and the milk is scalded. (Don't allow it to boil.)
- Add the flour all at once and beat the mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon until it comes together. Lower the heat and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Dump the mixture into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Immediately add 4 eggs, the Parmesan and pecorino, and pulse until the eggs and cheeses are completely incorporated.
- Line two sheet pans with parchment paper. Working in batches, spoon the dough into a large pastry bag fitted with a 5/8-inch round pastry tip or a large, gallon-size resealable bag, snipping off a lower corner before piping.
- Pipe the dough onto the sheet pans in 1 1/4-inch-wide, 3/4-inch-high mounds, setting them each 1 inch apart. (You can also use two spoons to scoop the mixture and shape the puffs.) The mounds should be shaped like huge chocolate kisses. Using a wet finger, lightly press down the swirl on top of each puff.
- Prepare the egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk the remaining egg with the remaining 1 teaspoon milk until combined. Brush the top of each puff lightly with the egg wash and sprinkle with the remaining pecorino; season with salt and pepper.
- Bake the cheese puffs until browned, about 15 to 20 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking. Serve hot. (If preparing the cheese puffs in advance, you can bake them off, allow them to cool, then freeze them in a sealed resealable bag. Reheat them on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.)
CACIO E PEPE CHEESE PUFFS
When friends come over for dinner and I have a lot to cook, I serve the simplest appetizers: shards of aged Parmesan, slices of good salami and a bowl of salty Marcona almonds. But when I invite people to come for just a drink, I go all out and make something special like these cheese puffs, inspired by ones I had at Missy Robbins's restaurant Lilia in Brooklyn. Everyone always loves them!
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories appetizer
Time 40m
Yield 35 to 40 puffs
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Arrange two racks evenly spaced in the oven.
- In a medium (4 1/2-inch-diameter by 6-inch-high) saucepan, heat the milk, butter, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper over medium heat, just until the milk is scalded (see Cook's Note). Add the flour all at once and beat it vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes together. Lower the heat and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Dump the mixture into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Immediately add the eggs, 1/2 cup of Pecorino and the Parmesan and pulse until the eggs and cheeses are completely incorporated.
- Working in batches, spoon the mixture into a large pastry bag fitted with a plain 5/8-inch round pastry tip. Pipe the dough in mounds 1 1/4 inches wide and 3/4 inch high (1 inch apart) on two sheet pans lined with parchment paper. (They should look like huge Hershey's Kisses.) With a wet finger, lightly press down the swirl on top of each puff. (You can also use two spoons to scoop the mixture and shape the puffs.) Brush the top of each puff lightly with the egg wash and sprinkle with Pecorino, salt and pepper. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until browned. Rotate the pans halfway through so they brown evenly. Serve hot.
CACIO E PEPE FRICO
A delicate cracker made by baking mounds of grated cheese into weblike crisps, frico could feature a number of cheeses, be it Montasio, cheddar, Asiago or, in this case, the kinds featured in cacio e pepe. Using both Parmesan and pecorino gives a good mix of richness and tang, though you could just use Parmesan. (Pecorino on its own may be too salty once it concentrates in the oven.) Snack on these with wine or spritzes, or crumble them over pasta, salad, soup or anything that likes a grating of cheese.
Provided by Ali Slagle
Categories quick, crackers and chips, finger foods, appetizer
Time 15m
Yield 20 crackers
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Heat oven to 400 degrees, and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, gently toss together the cheeses.
- Arrange heaping tablespoon-size mounds of the cheese mixture on the baking sheets, spacing them at least 1/2 inch apart. Using your fingers, gently pat down each mound to flatten. (It's O.K. if there are holes - the cheese will melt into a web.) Grind pepper over each round.
- Bake until golden and crisp, 4 to 6 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheets until crisp, then transfer to a serving plate using an offset spatula.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 22, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 0 grams, Fat 1 gram, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 80 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams
Tips:
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor. Pre-grated cheese often contains additives that can affect the taste and texture of the cheese puffs.
- Make sure the butter is cold before you start mixing the dough. This will help to create a flaky, tender crust.
- Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the cheese puffs tough.
- Pipe the dough onto a baking sheet in small, evenly sized rounds. This will help to ensure that the cheese puffs cook evenly.
- Bake the cheese puffs until they are golden brown and puffed up. This will take about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve the cheese puffs warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Conclusion:
Cacio e pepe cheese puffs are a delicious and easy-to-make snack or appetizer. They are perfect for parties or potlucks, and they can also be made ahead of time and frozen. With their cheesy, savory flavor and crispy texture, cacio e pepe cheese puffs are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.
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