Cheesy profiteroles (korzinochki s sirom)

Apparently I’m a liar. I promised a post last week and well, clearly that hasn’t happened. Embarrassing… and sort of mean to hold out on you like that! I’m sorry. Let’s be friends again. I come with fancy finger food with cheese. : )

I made these cheesy profiteroles for my dad’s birthday dinner last month. They were the perfect little starter…and incredibly fun to make! This recipe originally came from a Russian magazine my mom found about 20 years ago… and we’ve been infatuated with these little guys ever since. Fun fact: “korzinochki s sirom” translates as “little baskets with cheese” but these aren’t baskets, are they? Silly Russians

Now that I know what profiteroles are, I realize this recipe is basically French (there is a lot of French influence in Russian cuisine actually)… except the garlicky tvorog filling puts a Russian spin on them. Wikipedia also tells me that savory profiteroles are actually called gougere. I kind of think of them as savory éclair bites (with cheese mixed into the dough) and tangy farmers cheese filling. You can also go the sweet route and mix tvorog (farmers cheese) with sugar and raisins, form little balls of cheese, roll them in chopped nuts then fill each “basket” with a sweet tvorog ball. I’m sure your guests will be really impressed… in fact I guarantee it!

Printable recipe

Ingredients (makes 20-25 puffs):

• 100 grams all-purpose flour (about 1/2 cup)
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 40 grams butter (just shy of 3 tablespoons)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used cheddar)
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 recipe garlicky tvorog for filling

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 390*
2. In a medium pot, melt butter together with boiling water and salt.

3. Gradually add flour, stirring constantly, until dough fully forms (no white flour specs will be visible).

4. Transfer to a KitchenAid mixerbowl (if using) or another large bowl (if stirring by hand). Let cool to body temperature (5-10 minutes).

[I started the process by hand and realized the KA is easier, thus the picture above.]

5. In a Kitchen Aid mixer with a paddle attachment, add eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. (You can also do it by hand, pressing the egg into the dough. It will take some patience!). Mix in shredded cheese.

6. Using a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5T), scoop dough onto a baking sheet lined with a Silpat or parchment paper.

7. Bake at 390* for approx. 20 minutes – until they puff and turn golden brown.

SO cute!!

8. Slice in half, fill with garlicky tvorog or another filling of your choice.

 

[I was pretty psyched to see the dough transform into the perfect hollow spheres, not gonna lie!!]

Serve as an appetizer at your next party or eat a bunch and call it dinner

Printable recipe