Parsnip And Cheddar Soufflé Recipes

CHICKEN AND CHEDDAR SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Special equipment: a 2-quart (8-cups) souffle dish
• Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 2-quart souffle dish. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, heat 1/2 stick of butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove the pan from the heat and add the cheeses, the spinach, chicken, egg yolks, and bread cubes. Stir until combined (mixture will be thick).
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites at high speed until they hold stiff peaks, about 2 minutes. Stir 1/4 of the egg whites into the chicken mixture. Using a spatula, fold in the remaining egg whites. Spoon the batter into the prepared dish and bake until the souffle is puffed and the top is firm and golden, about 55 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and 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.

PARSNIP AND SHARP CHEDDAR SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Butter the bottom and sides of a 2-quart soufflé dish. Coat evenly with the bread crumbs.
• Slice the parsnips into 1/2-inch-wide pieces and put them in a 3-quart saucepan with the water, salt, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer over moderate heat, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently until the parsnips are tender, about 20 minutes. Strain, reserving the water but discarding the bay leaf. Puree the parsnips in a food processor. You should have about 1 1/2 cups puree.
• Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan over moderate heat. Add the flour and whisk for 2 to 3 minutes to cook the flour; do not allow the mixture to brown. Whisk in 1 cup of the parsnip cooking liquid. Bring to a simmer and cook gently, whisking often and scraping the sides of the pan, for about 5 minutes. Whisk in the parsnip puree and simmer, whisking often, for 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat and whisk in the egg yolks, cheese, parsley, thyme, and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl. Put a piece of plastic wrap on top of the mixture to keep a skin from forming, and let cool to room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Put a baking sheet in the bottom third of the oven to heat. With an electric stand mixer or handheld beaters, or by hand with a whisk, whip the egg whites and a pinch of kosher salt until the whites are stiff but not dry. Gently fold one-third of the beaten whites into the parsnip mixture to lighten it, then fold in the remaining whites. Transfer to the prepared soufflé dish. With the tip of a rubber spatula, trace a circle about 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch from the rim of the dish; this tracing will produce a top-hat effect when the soufflé rises.
• Set the soufflé on the preheated baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the oven heat to 375°F and continue cooking until the soufflé is nicely browned on top, well risen, and firm to the touch, 45 to 50 minutes longer. Serve immediately.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Reserve or another rich and silky white wine.