Florence Inspired Souffle Recipes

BLUE CHEESE SOUFFLE WITH FRESH FIGS AND HONEY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare 4 (8-ounce) ramekins by greasing them with softened butter and then coating them with sugar, tapping out any excess.
• Make a thick bechamel 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 sugar and then the egg yolks 1 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 1/3 of the beaten whites into the bechamel 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 souffle is done when it has puffed over the rim, the outside is golden, and the center jiggles slightly.
• Serve with fresh figs and a drizzle of honey. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

PARMESAN CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Butter 6 (7 1/2 by 3 1/2-inch ramekins. Sprinkle with some grated Parmesan, and coat all sides and the base of the dish. Pour out the excess cheese into the next ramekin to coat. Continue coating the ramekins with the cheese and set aside.
• Heat the milk in a small saucepan over low heat.
• In another medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook out raw flour taste, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the hot milk and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Remove the pan from heat, add 3/4 cup of grated cheese and season, to taste, with salt and pepper (watch salt levels because of the cheese). Pour the mixture into a large bowl and set aside to cool to room temperature.
• In a stand mixer, whip the egg whites to stiff peaks.
• Whisk the yolks into the cooled bechamel. Fold 1/3 of whipped egg whites into the bechamel to lighten the base. Gently fold in the remaining whipped egg whites in order to keep the incorporated air. Carefully fill the prepared ramekins and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake until risen and golden on top, about 20 minutes. The center will have just a slight jiggle when ready. Remove the ramekins from the oven and serve immediately.

CLASSIC CHEESE SOUFFLè

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Butter 1-quart soufflé dish or casserole. Make a 4-inch band of triple-thickness aluminum foil 2 inches longer than circumference of dish. Butter one side. Secure foil band, buttered side in, around top edge of dish.
• Melt butter in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt, mustard and red pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese until melted; remove from heat.
• Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff but not dry; set aside. Beat egg yolks in small bowl on high speed about 3 minutes or until very thick and lemon colored; stir into cheese mixture. Stir about 1/4 of the egg whites into cheese mixture. Fold cheese mixture into remaining egg whites. Carefully pour into soufflé dish.
• Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean. Carefully remove foil band and quickly divide soufflé into sections with 2 forks. Serve immediately.