I’m posting from Amsterdam this week and feel obliged to take a moment to extol the virtues of this city. For anyone out there who still associates Amsterdam only with marijuana and red lights, I urge you to look again. Amsterdam has so much going for it. The city itself is beautiful, the museums are first class, the restaurant options are diverse, and EVERYONE speaks english. I know that you often hear that about all major european cities, but here it is really true and it makes navigating the city as a tourist (or business traveller as is more often the case with me lately) just that much easier. I am not saying that the marijuana and red lights don’t exist (and if you are easily offended by such things you should probably stay away), but they are a footnote in a city which has so much more to offer.
But now a word about this week’s French Fridays with Dorie recipe, Goat Cheese Puffs. Dorie’s description of this recipe had me thinking of hors d’oeuvres one might encounter at a fancy cocktail reception. They are choux pastry balls filled with herbed goat cheese. I was, in fact, a little frightened of this recipe. Hors d’oeuvres in my house usually consists of mixed nuts, homemade if my guests are lucky. This sounded like a heck of a lot more work and I was strangely looking forward to it, simply because I have never made anything even remotely like it before.
I’m not going to lie and say that these were quick and easy, but I will say that they were significantly less effort than I had anticipated. I used my 1 tablespoon ice cream scooper to portion out the dough and then a pasty bag to fill them with goat cheese. The general consensus was that they were tasty and fun to make, so who knows, maybe I will even make them again one day.
one expat's life 
Enjoy your trip! Amsterdam sounds like a wonderful place to visit.
Those puffs were very tasty – yours look perfectly golden and puffy 🙂
Aw, yours are so perfectly puffy and golden! Lovely. And have fun in Amsterdam! That’s definitely on my list of places to visit. 🙂
Your puffs look delicious! I haven’t gotten that far this week as I’ve been fighting off a cold. My mom used to make savory stuffed puffs for parties, always fun.
Glad that you get to enjoy such a lovely city! I have never been to Amsterdam but have seen beautiful pictures. Enjoy!
Amsterdam! Fun! Great looking puffs, too.
Yay puffs and yay Amsterdam 🙂
Your puffs look marvellous. I enjoyed these too. Have fun in Amesterdam.
My husband is Dutch, and I have been to Amsterdam several times! I love that city! The canal houses are beautiful, with their neck gables leaning over tree-lined streets. Have fun and enjoy!
Your puffs look wonderful…so glad you enjoyed them!
Your puffs look just perfect. Hope you had a great trip to Amsterdam. I’ve never been there, but it sounds like it’s worth a visit. Have a great Thanksgiving (even if it’s not a German holiday — as an American, does that feel weird?)
I agree with everyone else, your puffs are perfect!
I’ve never been to Amsterdam but it sounds like fun! I like a city that has a bit of everything!
Rose, your Mini Gougères look just wonderful, great “puff” and wonderful warm color – actually, I think you should make them again! And I must agree with you on Amsterdam, it is a marvelous City with plenty of cultural and gastronomic aspects, certainly more than worth a visit, on business or on holidays. Have a terrific weekend!
Boy did your goat puffs turn out lovely. Well done ! And I concur with you about them not being necessarily “easy” but they were not as bad as expected either. Plus the results are very impressive looking. Love the info about Amsterdam- have had this on my “short list” for some time so am glad to hear your positive reviews. Would love to see a few photos from your trip on an upcoming post…….happy Thanksgiving !!
Using an ice cream scoop was a good idea. I used a tablespoon but it was awkward. Good for you for using a pastry bag for the filling. I cut the mini-puffs in two and it wasn’t as pretty. I agree, wasn’t as difficult as anticipated and I will make them again. Even though you are working, I am glad you’re enjoying Amsterdam. I have visited the city once but wouldn’t mind returning.
Amsterdam rocks!!! I love it! I love every aspect of it the bad and the good because all of them make it what it is! Now your puffs (doe’s this sound a bit dirty or is it just me in Amsterdam mode?) look gorgeous and I am definitely stealing the idea about the ice cream scoop….I just have to find a small one otherwise they would have to be called Goat Cheese Giant Puffs lol!!!
I had fun with these too! My very favorite thing I saw in Amsterdam (many, many years ago…) was the Anne Frank House. Check it out if you have a chance!