Cheese Puff Sliders

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (235 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat. Toss Gruyere cheese and Cheddar cheese together in a small bowl to combine; set aside.

Stir water, butter, and salt together in a pot; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and stir flour into butter mixture with a wooden spoon until a paste-like dough forms, 2 to 3 minutes. At this point, you will notice a film forming on the bottom of the pan. Continue to cook for at least 1 minute more, scraping up the film as best you can. Turn off heat; continue to stir dough briskly and scrape the bottom of the pan for about 1 minute more; moisture from dough should “deglaze” the pan and incorporate most of the film into the dough. Transfer dough to a bowl to cool until warm, 5 to 10 minutes.

Stir 1 egg, cayenne, and black pepper into cooled dough until egg is completely incorporated—the mixture will separate, but keep stirring vigorously. Add remaining egg and stir until completely incorporated into dough. Fold in half of cheese mixture.

Scoop 12 equal balls of dough onto prepared baking sheet using a small scoop. Top each with an equal amount of remaining cheese.

Place in the center of the preheated oven (450 degrees F/235 degrees C); immediately reduce temperature to 375 F (190 degrees C), and bake until puffed and golden brown, about 35 minutes. Cool on the pan for 3 to 4 minutes, then remove buns to a wire rack to cool completely, about 10 minutes.

For secret sauce, stir mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard together in a small bowl; set aside.

For sliders, portion beef into 12 (2 ounce) balls, and then press into 1/4-inch thick patties. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Cook in a skillet over medium-high heat, undisturbed, until a good crust forms on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn patties over, cook, undisturbed, until meat springs back from the touch and juice begins to leak out the top, 2 to 3 minutes for medium rare. Let rest 2 to 3 minutes before assembling sliders. 

Slice puffs open like a bun, and dress each with 1 tablespoon secret sauce. Top with burger, pickle, tomato, and lettuce, and serve.

John Mitzewich