Cheese And Spinach Soufflés Magnolia Table Recipes

THE VERY MOST BASIC SPINACH AND CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and dust a 1-1/2 quart souffle dish with grated Parmesan or breadcrumbs. Separate the eggs. Put egg whites in mixer bowl with cream of tartar. To make a white sauce, in a medium saucepan over medium high heat, melt the butter or margarine until it bubbles. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly until smooth and bubbly. Stir in milk all at once, than cook and stir until mixture boils and is smooth and thickened. To flavor the white sauce, stir in the cheese until melted. Stir in the spinach. Set aside. Beat the egg whites only until they cling to the side of the mixing bowl when you roll and tilt it. Add the yolks to the sauce, and stir. To fold the sauce into the whites, first mix about a quarter of the whites right into the sauce in the pan, then empty the sauce into the whites in the mixing bowl. Gingerly but thoroughly fold the sauce into the whites. Then pour that mixture into the prepared souffle dish. Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. Don't open oven door for at least 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

SPINACH AND CHEDDAR SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter the inside of a 6 to 8-cup souffle dish (6 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches in diameter by 3 1/2 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, the nutmeg, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. 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 Cheddar, 1/4 cup of Parmesan and the spinach 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 one quarter 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.

SOUFFLE OF SPINACH AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Butter a five-cup souffle dish, making sure to butter the rim well. Place oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Remove spinach stems and wash leaves. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water cook spinach, uncovered, about three minutes or until very tender. Drain. Rinse under cold water and drain again. Squeeze by handfuls until dry. Puree in a food processor until finely chopped.
• Crumble cheese or cut into pieces and set aside.
• In a small, heavy saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly, about two minutes, until foaming but not browned. Remove from heat. Gradually whisk in the milk, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking, reduce heat to low, continue to cook, still whisking, about two minutes. Whisk in spinach puree and goat cheese, bring to a simmer. Season lightly with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• Remove from heat and whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time. Heat gently until slightly thickened, but do not allow to boil. Re-season if necessary.
• Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until stiff but still supple. Quickly fold one-quarter of the whites into the warm spinach mixture. Spoon the mixture into the remaining whites and fold in lightly but quickly.
• Transfer mixture to prepared souffle dish and smooth the top. Bake 20 minutes till puffed and browned. Souffle should shake slightly in the center when the dish is moved. Do not overbake. Serve at once.

SPINACH-AND-CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Use the oil to coat a 2-quart souffle dish. Set aside.
• Cook the spinach over medium-high heat, stirring until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain well, pressing out excess liquid.
• Puree in a food processor the spinach, ricotta, feta, salt, pepper and lemon zest. Scrape into a bowl and stir in 3 of the egg whites. Whip the remaining whites to soft peaks and gently fold them into the spinach mixture. Pour into the prepared dish and bake until set, about 40 minutes. Spoon onto plates and serve immediately.