Green Peppercorn – India Pale Ale Gourgères

Makes 44

1 TBLS dried whole green peppercorns
4 ounces Gruyère cheese, finely shredded (about 1 ½ cups)
3 TBLS Parmesan cheese, grated
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup India Pale Ale Beer
½ cup butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or other nonstick liner.

With mortar and pestle, or in spice grinder, or with the side of a knife, smash peppercorns and finely mince. Place in medium bowl with Gruyère cheese, Parmesan cheese and nutmeg; toss with fork until blended.

In heavy large saucepan, combine India Pale Ale and butter and bring to a boil. When butter is melted, stir in flour and salt. Lower heat and stir constantly until dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball. Remove from heat and let cool one minute. Stir in one egg and vigorously beat with wooden spoon until incorporated. Stir in remaining eggs, one at a time, beating well, until the dough is smooth. Beat in cheese mixture and stir until incorporated.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 ½ inches apart. With fingers, smooth gougères into neat mounds.

Bake one sheet at a time in preheated oven 25 minutes, until golden brown and crisp. Transfer gougères to a wire rack and cool until just warm.

Nutrition Information, Per Serving:
50 calories; 3.5 g fat; 2 g saturated fat; 2 g carbohydrate