Herbed Gougere

This is a puffy-cheese-french traditional pastry.  Adding aromatic herbs of dill, parsley and chives, this treat will create a burst of flavors.  You can create individual puffs for hors d'oeuvres or shape it into a big ring for an appetizer.  Filling the center of the ring with chicken, fish or shrimp salad makes it a great dish for a summer lunch.

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all purpose flour
4 eggs
1 cup coarsely grated Gruyere cheese
1 tablespoon each of chopped fresh parsley, dill and chives

In a saucepan, combine the butter, salt and 1 cup of water.  Bring to a boil.  Remove from the heat, add the  flour all at once and beat well with a wooden spoon until the flour in incorporated.  Return the saucepan to moderate heat and cook until the dough becomes quite stiff and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
Remove from the heat and beat in the eggs, one at a time.  Stir in 2/3 cup of the cheese and all of the chopped herbs.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Drop the dough by tablespoons onto the ungreased baking sheet to make individual puffs, or drop the dough by tablespoonfuls to form a ring.  Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.  Serve warm.

Be creative and add your choice of herbs and cheese.  Let us know of your creations.