Basic Chou Pastry

Want to make your own cream puffs? Eclairs? Here is the pastry to make.

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sifted flour
• pinch of salt
• 4 large eggs

Combine water and butter in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil, allowing the butter to melt.

Add all the flour and salt at the same time and stir vigorously until smooth and leaves the sides of the pan, forming a ball. (This takes a few minutes)

Turn off the heat and add the eggs, one at a time, beating until well mixed. Beat until smooth. Cover lightly and let stand until cool.

When cool, spoon into a piping bag with a 1 inch plain piping tip. Pipe into desired shapes on a well greased baking sheet.

Bake in a 450 degree oven in the center for 8 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 20–35 minutes until dry and lightly browned. Remove from the pan immediately and set on a rack to cool.

Fill with desired filling (whipping cream, custard, whatever) and dip into dark chocolate if you want to really bring it up a notch.

Yummy!