Roasted vegetable and goat's cheese puffs recipe

These choux pastry puffs will come in handy over the festive period. Filled with tangy goat's cheese and rich roasted veg they are sure to impress

Ingredients

For the filling:

• 1 small aubergine,cubed
• 1-2 courgettes, cubed
• 2 red peppers, deseeded and cubed
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 100g round soft goat’s cheese, with rind
• ½ x 200ml carton creme fraiche
• Salt and ground black pepper

For the choux puffs:

• 60g (2oz) butter
• 75g (2½oz) plain flour
• 2 medium eggs

Method

1. Set the oven to gas mark 7 or 220°C. Place aubergine, courgette and pepper on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil. Turn the vegetables to coat them, then roast in the centre of the oven for 45 mins-1 hour, turning occasionally, until they are starting to tinge golden. Remove them from the oven.
2. To make the choux puffs: Pour 150ml (¼ pint) water into a pan and add the butter. Place pan over a medium heat and stir until butter melts. Increase heat under the pan and bring mixture to a rapid boil. Remove pan from heat and tip in the flour. Beat mixture until it forms a ball and comes away from the sides of the pan. Leave mixture to cool for at least 10 mins, then beat in the eggs. Spoon mixture on to the lined baking sheet, in 4 balls.
3. Bake above the centre of oven for 15-20 mins until the puffs have risen and are pale golden. Remove from oven and pierce each puff with a skewer, or fine knife, to allow the steam to escape. Return them to oven for 5-10 mins until puffs are crisp. If making in advance, slide them on to a wire rack to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to gas mark 5 or 190°C.
4. When puffs are cool, cut off the tops (reserving tops) and scoop out any soft mixture on the inside.
5. Cut the goat’s cheese into cubes. Layer up the roasted vegetables and goat’s cheese inside the choux puffs, adding some creme fraiche and plenty of salt and pepper. Replace the tops on the puffs.
6. Return the choux puffs to the oven for 15-20 mins, or until the cheese is starting to melt. Serve with the sprouts and root mash, and a little of the cranberry relish.