posted by blahgirl 04-27-102 6:50 AM
Mini Cream Puffs
*these can be made ahead and frozen in a airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temp. FIll with Chicken salad Stuffing (recipe follows) or Shrimp stuffing before serving.
Prep: 40 min. Bake: 30 min.
1 c. water.
1/2 c. butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 c. all purpose flour
4 eggs
Grease baking sheets, set aside.
In a med. saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to boiling. Add flour all at once, stirring virgorously. Cook and stir until mixture forms a ball that doesn't separate. Remove from heat. Cool for 10 min. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well with a a wooden spoon after each addition.
Drop dough from a tsp onto prepared sheets, forming mounds 1/2 inch in diameter and spacing mounds about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake at 400* for about 30 min. or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.
Cut tops from puffs; remove soft dough from insides. Fill with desired filling. Replace tops.
Makes 48.
Shrimp Filling:
look for cooked baby shrimp at the fish counter or in the freezer section for the most inexpensive form fo shrimp for this filling.
1 lb. fresh or frozen shrimp (med. or small) peeled and deveined
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese softened
1 tsp grated onion or 1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp black pepper
3 hard cooked eggs, finely chopped
1/2 c. finely chopped celery
Cook shrimp in small amount of boiling, lightly salted water for 1-2 min or until shrimp turn pink. Drain in colander. Rinse with cold water, drain well and pat dry. Finely chop shrimp , set aside.
In a large bowl; combine cream cheese, onion, dry mustard, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper. Stir in shrimp, eggs, and celery. Makes about 3 cups, enough to fill 48 mini cream puffs.
Chicken Salad Stuffing:
2 1/2 c. finely chopped cooked chicken
3 hard cooked eggs, finely chopped
1/4 c, chopped celery
1/4 c. pickle relish
1/4 c. finely chopped pimientos
3 tbsp chopped toasted almonds (optional)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Mayonnaise or salad dressing (about 1/2 c.)
In a large bowl, combine chicken, eggs, celery, relish, pimiento, almonds if desired, salt, and pepper. Stir in enough mayonnaise or dressing to make of desired consistency. Makes about 3 cups enough for 48 mini cream puffs.