Croque Monsieur Puffs

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 6 tablespoons salted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup minced ham
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs, large
• 3/4 cup about 2 3/4 ounces gruyere cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon chives, freshly chopped

Directions

1. 1

   Adjust rack to the middle of an oven and preheat to 400 degrees.

2. 2

   Combine water, milk, butter, salt, adn ham in a heavy, medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

3. 3

   All at once, add teh flour and stir in quickly with a wooden spoon. Keep stirring-the mixture will come away form teh sides of the pan and become thick and stiff. Keep stiring and turning over for about 1 minute (you want it to dry out a bit).

4. 4

   Transfer the dough to an electric mixer, and turn mixer on medium-high speed. Add 1 egg and as soon as it is partially incorporated, increase mixer speed to high. Add teh remaining eggs, one at a time, when the previous egg is well incorporated. The mixture should be smooth. Mix in the cheese and chives.

5. 5

   IF you have a strong arm, the dough can also be mied by hand with a wooden spoon in a mixing bowl. Proceed as directed, and be sure to beat the dough until smooth before mxing in teh cheese and chives. Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes.

6. 6

   Meanwhile, line baking sheets with parchment paper or spray them with cooking spray. (Watch the puff bottomes closely to prevent over-browning if not using parchment.) By heaping teaspoonfuls, drop the mixture onto baking sheets in little balls, spaced apart. They shoud be teh size of large marbles or jaw-breakers. (You can also pipe them out using a pastry bag.).

7. 7

   Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden. Serve warm. You can bake these a few hours in advance and reheat in the oven as well!