Blue Cheese Souffle With Fresh Figs And Honey Tylers Ultimate Recipes

BLUE CHEESE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Prepare the ramekins: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush four 8-ounce ramekins with butter. Pour the sugar into 1 ramekin and rotate it to coat the bottom and sides. Pour the excess into another ramekin and repeat to coat all the ramekins; tap out any excess. Refrigerate until ready to fill.
• Make the bechamel: Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Just as the foam subsides, whisk in the flour to make a roux; cook, whisking constantly, to remove the starchy taste, 2 to 3 minutes (do not allow the roux to brown). Add the warm milk and continue whisking until smooth and thick, about 5 minutes. (Trace a figure 8 in the bechamel with the whisk; if the sauce holds the shape, it's done.)
• Flavor the bechamel: Remove the bechamel from the heat and whisk in the egg yolks one at a time. Season with salt, white pepper and the nutmeg, then whisk in the cheese until melted and smooth. (Return the pot to very low heat, if necessary.) Transfer to a large bowl and refrigerate until cool.
• Add the egg whites: Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar with a whisk or mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold one-third of the beaten egg whites into the cooled bechamel mixture by slowly and gently scooping from the bottom to the top of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Fold in the remaining egg whites the same way until no streaks of white remain.
• Bake the souffles: Place the prepared ramekins on a baking sheet. Spoon the batter into the ramekins, filling each about three-fourths of the way. Use a towel to wipe the rims clean (this will help the souffles rise evenly). Bake until golden and puffed at least 1 inch over the rims, about 25 minutes. Serve immediately with fig compote and other garnishes (see below).
• Tyler dresses up his souffles with honeycomb, chamomile flowers, microgreens and this fig topping:
• Fig Compote: Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 1/2 cups water, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 2 lemon slices and 2 chamomile tea bags in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags. Add 12 halved dried figs, return to a boil and cook 10 more minutes. Remove the lemon slices. Serve warm.

BLUE CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Butter the inside of an 8-cup souffle dish (7 1/2 inches in diameter and 3 1/4 inches deep) and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. With a wooden spoon, stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Off the heat, whisk in the hot milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, the cayenne, and nutmeg. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, for 1 minute, until smooth and thick.
• Off the heat, while still hot, whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time. Stir in the Roquefort and the 1/4 cup of Parmesan and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Put the egg whites, cream of tartar, and a pinch of salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on low speed for 1 minute, on medium speed for 1 minute, then finally on high speed until they form firm, glossy peaks.
• Whisk 1/4 of the egg whites into the cheese sauce to lighten and then fold in the rest. Pour into the souffle dish, then smooth the top. Draw a large circle on top with the spatula to help the souffle rise evenly, and place in the middle of the oven. Turn the temperature down to 375 degrees F. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes (don't peek!) until puffed and brown. Serve immediately.

BLUE CHEESE SOUFFLé WITH CHAMOMILE-FIG COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare four 8-ounce ramekins by greasing them with softened butter and then coating them with sugar, tapping out any excess.
• Make a thick béchamel sauce base by melting the 3 tablespoons of butter over low-medium heat in a thick-bottomed pot. Just as the foam subsides, add the flour, stirring constantly with a whisk to prevent lumps. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes to coat the flour with fat and remove the starchy taste; do not allow the roux to brown. Add the warm milk to the mixture and continue to whisk until smooth and thick. Remove from the heat. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in the cheese until incorporated evenly. Chill the mixture while whipping the egg whites.
• In a separate clean bowl beat the egg whites and cream of tartar just until soft peaks form. Fold one third of the beaten whites into the béchamel mixture to lighten it. Then gently fold in the rest. Pour the batter into the prepared ramekins and place on a cookie sheet. Bake on the middle rack for about 25 minutes. The soufflé is done when it has puffed over the rim, the outside is golden, and the center jiggles slightly.
• While the soufflés are baking, make the compote. Combine the sugar, water, lemon juice, and in a pot. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil; cook and stir for 5 minutes. Remove and add the dried figs; bring back to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Crack open the top of and pour the compote inside, and serve immediately.