Cheese Soufflé Recipes

CHEESE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Using 10 grams (2 teaspoons) butter, grease a 2-quart soufflé dish. Dust with 12 grams (2 tablespoons) Parmesan. Heat oven to 400 degrees with rack positioned in the lower third.
• Make the béchamel: Place a strainer over a large bowl and set aside. Heat remaining butter over medium heat in a heavy medium-size saucepan. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until softened (do not brown), 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in flour and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes, until smooth and bubbling, but not browned. It should have the texture of wet sand. Remove from heat and whisk in milk all at once. Return to heat and bring to a simmer while whisking. Continue to whisk until mixture begins to thicken. Turn heat to very low and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often with a whisk and scraping bottom and edges of pan with a rubber spatula. The sauce will be quite thick and should have no taste of raw flour. Add 3 grams ( 1/2 teaspoon) salt, the white pepper and the nutmeg. While it is still hot, strain sauce into the large bowl.
• Immediately beat egg yolks into sauce, one at a time. Adjust salt and pepper.
• In a stand mixer or using electric beaters, begin beating egg whites on low speed. When they begin to foam, add cream of tartar and a pinch of salt. Continue to beat until they form stiff but not dry peaks. Be careful not to overbeat or egg whites will fall apart when you fold them into sauce, which will make your soufflé mixture grainy.
• Using a large rubber spatula, stir a quarter of the egg whites into sauce. Stir in Gruyère, remaining Parmesan and truffle if using. Gently fold remaining whites into mixture, working rapidly but gingerly so whites don't collapse. Carefully spoon or pour mixture into prepared soufflé dish and place dish on a baking sheet.
• Place in oven, turning heat down to 375 degrees as soon as you close the oven door. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until soufflé has puffed above the top of the dish, and soufflé top is golden brown. Turn off oven. If desired, let sit 5 minutes (the sauce in the middle will thicken slightly, but the soufflé will remain puffed) or serve at once. The center of the soufflé should be saucy. When you serve the soufflé, spoon sauce from the middle over each fluffy serving.

EASY CHEESE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Brush butter on the bottom and up the sides of two 5 1/2-ounce ramekins. Scoop in some sugar; rotate ramekins to coat while pouring most of the sugar back into its container. Place ramekins on a shallow baking pan.
• Separate eggs between 2 bowls. Add sugar, flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, vanilla extract, lemon zest, cream cheese, and Cheddar cheese to the yolks. Mix the souffle base with a spatula until sugar and flour disappear.
• Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the room-temperature egg whites. Beat with a whisk until soft peaks form; peaks should hold their shape but not be stiff or dry. Stir and fold 1/2 of the egg whites into the souffle base until combined. Gently fold the rest of the egg whites into the batter.
• Fill ramekins up to the lip with the batter.
• Bake in the preheated oven until puffed and browned, about 12 minutes. Serve immediately.

CHEESE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375° F. Grease one 16-ounce or two 8-ounce ramekins with 1 tablespoon of butter. Coat with the Parmesan, then tap out the excess. Set aside.
• In a small saucepan, over medium heat, melt the remaining butter. Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce boils, 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Blend in the cayenne and nutmeg. Whisk in the yolks one at a time. Set aside. (The recipe can be made to this point up to 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
• In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with the salt until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. Stir 1/4 of the egg whites into the cheese sauce to loosen it. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites. Spoon into the ramekins. Bake until puffed and browned, 40 minutes for a 16-ounce soufflé, 20 minutes for two smaller ones. Serve immediately.

CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Butter a 6-cup souffle or straight-sided baking dish with 1 1/2 tablespoons butter. Dust the interior of the dish with the Parmesan and knock out the excess.
• In a large saucepan, melt the remaining butter over medium-high heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the butter and flour foam and froth. Remove the pan from the heat and beat in the hot milk, then simmer over medium heat and stir slowly until thick, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the seasonings, then the egg yolks, 1 by 1.
• Whip the egg whites to stiff, shining peaks, then whisk 1/4 of them into the sauce to lighten it. Delicately fold the remaining egg whites into the sauce, alternating with the grated Swiss cheese.
• Turn the souffle mixture into the prepared dish and set in the oven. Reduce the heat to 375 degrees F and bake until the souffle has puffed 1 or 2-inches above the rim and has browned on top, about 25 to 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

SIMPLE CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Place rack in center. Generously butter bottom and sides of a 2-quart souffle dish with 1 1/2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. In a small bowl, mix together Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, and sprinkle in dish, swirling to thoroughly coat the bottom and sides.
• Grate Jarlsberg and cheddar cheeses into a small bowl. Cut Saga blue and brie into small chunks. Combine, and set aside.
• Melt the remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Whisk in flour and mustard, and cook, whisking constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk, and cook until thick and smooth, an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Pour souffle base into a large bowl. Whisk in egg yolks a few at a time until smooth. Stir in cheese until well incorporated.
• In the bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip 12 whites on medium-low speed until foamy. Increase the speed to high, and continue whisking until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes.
• Quickly and gently fold the egg whites and nutmeg into the souffle base just until incorporated. Pour into souffle dish, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Serve immediately.

CHEESE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Smear the soft butter around the inside of your mold, and sprinkle the Parmesan around the sides and bottom. Preheat the oven to 425°. Melt the 2 teaspoons butter in a small pot, and stir in the flour. Let cook over low heat for a minute, then remove from the heat for a moment's rest. Now pour in the milk, whisking vigorously, and return to low heat to simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly as the sauce thickens. Season with the salt and paprika. Again remove from the heat, and whisk in the egg yolk. Put the egg whites in a clean bowl, and beat until they form soft peaks. Add a dollop of the egg whites to the sauce, and mix in along with about half the cheese. Now fold in the rest of the egg whites and the cheese, and transfer everything to the prepared mold. Set in the middle of the oven, and turn the heat down to 375°. Bake for 18 minutes, until the top is lightly browned and the soufflé has risen.
• Variations
• You can make this single soufflé using about 3 tablespoons of a finely chopped cooked green vegetable or a couple of tablespoons of mushroom duxelles (page 138), or some minced ham, in which case you would want to use only a tablespoon of a milder cheese, such as Swiss.

CLASSIC CHEESE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Position rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 400F.Butter 6-cup (1 1/2-quart) soufflé dish. Add Parmesan cheese and tilt dish, coating bottom and sides. Warm milk in heavy small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until mixture begins to foam and loses raw taste, about 3 minutes (do not allow mixture to brown). Remove saucepan from heat; let stand 1 minute. Pour in warm milk, whisking until smooth. Return to heat and cook, whisking constantly until very thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in paprika, salt, and nutmeg. Add egg yolks 1 at a time, whisking to blend after each addition. Scrape soufflé base into large bowl. Cool to lukewarm. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in another large bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold 1/4 of whites into lukewarm or room temperature soufflé base to lighten. Fold in remaining whites in 2 additions while gradually sprinkling in Gruyère cheese. Transfer batter to prepared dish.
• Place dish in oven and immediately reduce oven temperature to 375F. Bake until soufflé is puffed and golden brown on top and center moves only slightly when dish is shaken gently, about 25 minutes (do not open oven door during first 20 minutes). Serve immediately.

CHEESY SOUFFLES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in cheese until melted. Remove from the heat. Beat egg yolks. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Cool slightly. , Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into egg yolk mixture. Pour into two ungreased 8-oz. ramekins or custard cups. , Bake 20-25 minutes or until the tops are puffed and centers appear set. Serve immediately.

THREE-CHEESE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, mustard, salt and pepper sauce. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat to medium-low; stir in cheeses until melted. Transfer to a large bowl., Separate eggs. Place egg whites in a medium bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat egg yolks until thick and lemon-colored, about 4 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup hot cheese mixture; return all to remaining cheese mixture, stirring constantly. Cool completely, about 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 325°. Place eight ungreased 8-oz. ramekins in a baking pan., With clean beaters, beat egg whites with cream of tartar on high speed until stiff but not dry. With a rubber spatula, gently stir a fourth of the egg whites into cheese mixture. Fold in remaining whites., Transfer to prepared ramekins. Add 1 in. of hot water to baking pan. Bake 40-45 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Serve immediately. Freeze option: Securely wrap unbaked souffles with foil and freeze. To use, preheat oven to 325°. Remove foil and place frozen souffles in a baking pan; add 1 in. warm water to larger pan. Bake 60-65 minutes or until heated through and tops are golden brown.

CLASSIC CHEESE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Butter 1-quart soufflé dish or casserole. Make a 4-inch-wide band of triple-thickness foil 2 inches longer than circumference of dish. Butter one side of foil. Secure foil band, buttered side in, around top edge of dish.
• In 2-quart saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter 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.
• In medium bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar with electric mixer on high speed until stiff but not dry; set aside. In small bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed about 3 minutes or until very thick and lemon colored; stir into cheese mixture. Stir about one-fourth 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. Serve immediately by quickly dividing soufflé into sections with 2 forks.

CLASSIC CHEESE SOUFFLE (JULIA CHILD)

Steps:

• Position rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 400 degrees.
• Butter 6-cup (1-1/2 quart) souffle dish.
• Add Parmesan cheese and tilt dish, coating bottom and sides.
• Warm milk in heavy small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add flour and whisk until mixture begins to foam and loses raw taste, about 3 minutes; do not allow mixture to brown).
• Remove saucepan from heat; let stand 1 minute.
• Pour in warm milk, whisking constantly until very thick, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat; whisk in paprika, salt, and nutmeg.
• Add egg yolks 1 at a time, whisking to blend after each addition.
• Scrape souffle base into large bowl.
• Cool to lukewarm. DO AHEAD; can be made 2 hours ahead.
• Cover and let stand at room temperature.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in another large bowl until stiff but not dry.
• Fold 1/4 of whites into lukewarm or room temperature souffle base to lighten.
• Fold in remaining whites in 2 additions while gradually sprinkling in Gruyere cheese.
• Transfer batter to prepared dish.
• Place dish in oven and immediately reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees.
• Bake until souffle is puffed and golden brown on top and center moves only slightly when dish is shaken gently, about 25 minutes (do not open oven door during first 20 minutes).
• Serve immediately.

CHEESE SOUFFLé IN 4 EASY STEPS

Steps:

• Preparing the soufflé dish: Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and place a baking sheet on the middle shelf. Butter a 15cm soufflé dish generously, then sprinkle in the breadcrumbs and rotate the dish to ensure the butter is evenly coated. Tip out any excess breadcrumbs.
• Making a thick white sauce: In a pan, melt the butter over a medium heat; stir in the flour and mustard. Cook, stirring, for 1 min. Take off the heat and gradually stir in the milk, mixing it in thoroughly before adding more. Return to the heat and stir continuously until very thick (around 10 mins). Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool. Crack the eggs, placing the whites into a clean bowl and stirring the yolks into the sauce. Stir in cheddar and season well.
• Adding the egg whites: Use a clean whisk to beat the egg whites until peaks form that just hold their shape (electric is best as it will make the job much quicker). Then take a metal spoon and gently stir the whipped whites into the white sauce in a figure of eight.
• Top-hatting: Spoon the mixture into the dish. Run a cutlery knife around the edge to create a 'top hat' effect; this ensures the soufflé rises above the rim and doesn't stick. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 25-30 mins until the top is golden and risen and has a slight wobble. Serve immediately.
• EQUIPMENT: 15cm soufflé dish, saucepan, 2 large mixing bowls, wooden spoon, spatula, baking sheet, large metal spoon, measuring jug, grater, electric whisk, cutlery knife.

CLASSIC CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Mix 50g butter and flour into a paste (known as beurre manié, see notes, below). Chill to firm for about 30 mins. Heat milk to boiling point with the onion, spices and bay leaf, then simmer gently for 5 mins. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Taste milk for flavour.
• Strain the milk into a large pan, pressing down on the onion to extract the maximum of flavour. Place the pan back on the heat and gradually whisk in the butter paste, adding in small pieces until you have a thick sauce.
• Season, then leave to cool for 3-4 mins. Whisk in egg yolks, grated gruyère and cheddar, plus two-thirds of the parmesan. Add the Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Check seasoning, leave to cool. Can be made 2 days ahead - bring to room temperature before continuing.
• Brush the insides of a soufflé dish (approx 20 x 8cm deep) with the remaining 25g butter, using upward brush strokes. Coat the base and sides evenly with some parmesan and freshly ground black pepper. Chill to set. Cut the gruyère slice into diamond shapes.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Coat a large, grease-free bowl with the lemon juice (see tip, below). Whisk the egg whites in the bowl, then whisk a third of them into the cheese mixture, to loosen. Carefully fold remaining egg whites into cheese mixture until well mixed, but still light.
• Spoon half the mixture into prepared dish. Dot with brie and top with remaining mixture. Gently level the top. Arrange gruyère on top, scatter with remaining parmesan. Bake for 10 mins. Reduce oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, bake for 15-20 mins. The soufflé should be evenly risen and slightly wobbly. Serve immediately - the centre will be soft, but will thicken slightly when served.

CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Brush the inside of a 4-by-2 3/4-inch round baking dish with 1/2 teaspoon butter; coat bottom and sides with Parmesan cheese and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees with a rack set in the center of the oven.
• Melt remaining 2 teaspoons butter in a small saucepan over low heat; stir in flour. Let cook for 1 minute and remove from heat. Add milk and whisk vigorously to combine. Return to low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened; season with salt and paprika. Remove from heat and whisk in egg yolk.
• Place egg whites in a medium bowl and whisk until they form soft peaks. Add a dollop of egg whites to saucepan along with half of the cheese; stir to combine. Fold in remaining egg whites and cheese and pour into prepared baking dish.
• Transfer baking dish to oven and reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees. Bake until top is lightly browned and souffle has risen, about 18 minutes. Serve immediately.