Soufflé Mac Cheese Recipes

SOUFFLé MAC 'N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Melt half the butter with the olive oil in a large saucepan, then add the shallots. Cook until soft and golden, then stir in the garlic before tipping everything into a large bowl.
• Put the pasta in a large saucepan filled with boiling water. Cook for 2 mins less than instructed on the pack. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Return the pan you used for the shallots to the heat and add the rest of the butter, followed by the flour. Stir well, then add the milk gradually, stirring all the time, to make a smooth, glossy white sauce. Once all the milk has been added, tip in the shallots and garlic, followed by a third of the Gruyère. Take the pan off the heat and mix in the egg yolks, Dijon and nutmeg, then season well.
• Drain the cooked pasta, lay it in a deep casserole dish and mix in the ham hock and cheddar chunks. Whisk up the egg whites to stiff peaks and stir a dollop into the cheese sauce mixture in the pan. Now fold in the rest without knocking out too much air. Pour the sauce over the pasta, ensuring it fills all the gaps, gently easing the sauce to the bottom of the dish - don't over mix. Sprinkle with the rest of the Gruyère and bake for 15-20 mins or until the cheese on the top has melted and become golden.
• Meanwhile, make the salad dressing. Combine the Dijon and cider vinegar in a large bowl, then gradually whisk in the sunflower oil until all the oil is added and the dressing has emulsified. Season and stir in the herbs. Toss most of the dressing through the salad leaves, and serve extra on the side. Serve with the mac 'n' cheese.

CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Use room temperature butter to grease an 8-inch souffle mold. Add the grated Parmesan and roll around the mold to cover the sides. Cover with plastic wrap and place into the freezer for 5 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a small saucepan, heat the butter. Allow all of the water to cook out.
• In a separate bowl combine the flour, dry mustard, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Whisk this mixture into the melted butter. Cook for 2 minutes.
• Whisk in the hot milk and turn the heat to high. Once the mixture reaches a boil, remove from the heat.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks to a creamy consistency. Temper the yolks into the milk mixture, constantly whisking. Remove from the heat and add the cheese. Whisk until incorporated.
• In a separate bowl, using a hand mixer, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar until glossy and firm. Add 1/4 of the mixture to the base. Continue to add the whites by thirds, folding very gently.
• Pour the mixture into the souffle. Fill the souffle to 1/2-inch from the top. Place on an aluminum pie pan. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes.

TRUFFLED MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Heat the butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan, add the mushrooms, and cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until they are tender. Add the sherry and continue to saute for a few more minutes, until the sherry is absorbed. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a splash of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Add the pasta and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until al dente. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, melt the truffle butter in a large (4-quart) saucepan and whisk in the flour. Cook for 2 minutes over low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk. Slowly whisk in the hot milk and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the white sauce is thickened and creamy. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt, the pepper, and nutmeg.
• Combine the pasta, sauce, and mushrooms in a large bowl and pour them into a 10 by 13 by 2-inch baking dish.
• Place the garlic and parsley in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse until they're minced. Add the bread crumbs and pulse to combine. Sprinkle the crumbs over the pasta and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the crumbs are golden brown. Serve hot.

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.