Chocolate Soufflé Sundae Food

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Prepare ramekins: Brush ramekin with butter to evenly coat the entire interior, from the bottom of the ramekin to the top of the rim. Add a few tablespoons of sugar to the ramekin, then spin the ramekin around to coat the bottom and the walls, pouring the excess into a mixing bowl. (The sugar coating provides a rough surface for the soufflé to adhere to as it bakes, allowing for a taller rise.) Repeat with other ramekins. Chill until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 375 F. Prepare a double boiler: Add enough water to a 1-quart saucepan to fill halfway, and bring to a simmer. Fit a heatproof glass bowl snugly on top of the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl isn't touching the surface of the water. Add chocolate to the bowl and allow it to melt, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together the milk and cornstarch. Pour mixture into a small saucepan over low heat and whisk; once the mixture is simmering, continue to whisk until thickened, about 1 minute. When the chocolate has melted, remove the bowl from the saucepan. Slowly add the milk-cornstarch mixture into the melted chocolate, whisking constantly, until it's thoroughly combined. Add egg yolks and whisk until thoroughly combined and shiny. Set aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add egg whites and a pinch of salt. Starting on low then coming up to medium speed, whip until soft peaks form; then continue whipping as you slowly add the sugar in a steady stream. Once medium peaks form, 1-2 minutes later, turn the motor off and remove whisk. Finish whisking by hand to form medium-stiff peaks. (This prevents the machine from over-whipping, which can cause the soufflé to fall.)
• Use a rubber spatula to stir ⅓ of the whipped whites into the chocolate mixture. Then very gently fold in the rest of the egg whites, being careful not to overmix; the goal is to make sure the egg whites retain their airiness. When the chocolate and egg whites are just mixed, fill each ramekin to the rim. Run the tip of your thumb around the inner rim of the ramekin to wipe off the butter and sugar from the top ¼ inch. This prevents the soufflé from sticking to the rim as it bakes, allowing it to rise straight up.Place ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then into the oven. Bake until the soufflés have risen about ½-1 inch above the rim, 7-9 minutes.
• When soufflés have fully risen, remove from oven. Dust with powdered sugar, if using. Shape quenelles of unsweetened whipped cream (optional): Pass about a tablespoon of whipped cream back and forth between two spoons, smoothing and shaping it until you have formed an egg-shaped dollop, or "quenelle." Make a small opening in the top of the soufflé and nestle the quenelle into the hole. Serve immediately. (Note: Soufflés will fall quickly as they cool, so work quickly once they are out of the oven!)

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 1 1/2-quart tall-sided baking dish. Coat with sugar, tapping out excess. Set dish on a rimmed baking sheet.
• In a large heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, combine chocolate, vanilla, and 1/4 cup water. Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, 20 minutes.
• Stir egg yolks into cooled chocolate mixture until well combined. Set souffle base aside.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium-high until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Gradually add sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes (do not overbeat).
• In two additions, fold egg-white mixture into souffle base: With a rubber spatula, gently cut down through center and lift up some base from bottom of bowl. Turning bowl, steadily continue to cut down and lift up base until just combined.
• Transfer mixture to dish, taking care not to get batter on top edge of dish; smooth top. Bake souffle until puffed and set, 30 to 35 minutes. (Do not open oven during first 25 minutes of baking.) Serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLéS FOR TWO

Steps:

• For the chocolate soufflés: Set an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Brush two 6- or 8-ounce ramekins with 1 tablespoon of the butter, then coat with 2 tablespoons of the sugar.
• Bring a small pot or saucepan filled with 1 to 2 inches of water to a simmer over medium-low heat. In a small heatproof bowl, combine the dark chocolate and remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Place the bowl on top of the pot and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is melted. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Separate the eggs and put the whites into a medium bowl. Add the egg yolks and vanilla to the chocolate mixture and whisk well to incorporate.
• Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar, cream of tartar and salt to the medium bowl with the egg whites and whip to medium-stiff peaks with an electric hand mixer.
• Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture, mixing until incorporated, but trying not to overmix, which can deflate the egg whites.
• Gently divide the mixture between the prepared ramekins. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until the soufflés rise about 1 inch over the top edge of the ramekin, about 30 minutes. Try not to open the oven door - use your oven light to check their progress.
• While the soufflés bake, make the raspberry coulis.
• For the raspberry coulis: In a small saucepan, stir together the raspberries and sugar and cook over medium heat until the berries completely break down, 5 to 7 minutes. Strain the coulis to remove the seeds and reserve.
• Serve the soufflés immediately with the raspberry coulis.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Brush 6 (6-ounce) ramekins with soft butter, then coat with sugar. Put the prepared ramekins in the freezer. (This can be done a day ahead.)
• Set an oven rack in lower third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Put the chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water. Stir the chocolate occasionally until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Set aside.
• Combine the egg yolks and warm water in the bowl of a standing mixer or large bowl and beat until frothy. Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar, and continue beating until ribbons form, about 5 minutes. Very lightly fold the yolks into the chocolate mixture. (Rinse the bowl well, if using for beating the egg whites.)
• Remove prepared ramekins from freezer. Put the egg whites in the bowl of a standing mixer, or large non-reactive bowl, add the lemon juice. Beat on medium until frothy; then gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and increase speed to high. Beat until the whites hold a stiff but not dry peak.
• Working quickly, fold about a third of the egg whites into the chocolate to lighten; then fold in remaining whites until blended. Gently ladle or spoon the souffle mixture into the ramekins, and place on a baking sheet. (Level off the surface with a straight edge, scraping any excess mixture back into the bowl.)
• Immediately bake until the souffle rises about 1 1/2 inches from the ramekins, and the tops are touched with brown, about 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, dust with confectioners' sugar and serve immediately.
• Copyright 2007 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

CHOCOLATE FUDGE SUNDAE

Steps:

• Melt chocolate over hot water.
• Add remaining ingredients except flavoring.
• Boil 5 minutes.
• Add flavoring.
• Serve either hot or cold on ice-cream.
• Add desired toppings.

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE SUNDAES

Steps:

• In a small saucepan combine the chocolate, water, and 1/4 cup sugar. Melt chocolate over low heat, stirring slowly and constantly. Stir in pear liqueur or nectar. Set aside to cool slightly.
• Peel the pears, if desired; cut into quarters.* In a large skillet melt butter. Add pear quarters; cook over medium heat about 12 minutes or until browned and tender, turning once. Add the 2 tablespoons sugar stirring gently until sugar is dissolved and pears are glazed.
• To assemble: Place scoops of ice cream in bottom of 8 individual bowls. Spoon two pear pieces and some sauce around ice cream in each bowl. Top with chocolate sauce. Makes 8 servings.
• *Note: If using large pears, use only 2 pears and cut into fourths.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Butter a soufflé dish and dust with sugar, tapping out excess.
• Preheat oven to 430F.
• Melt chocolate and stir until smooth.
• Whisk butter into hot chocolate; add yolks and combine well.
• Beat egg whites until frothy.
• Beat in sugar gradually, and beat until whites hold stiff peaks.
• Lighten chocolate mixture with ¼ of the whites, and then gently fold in remaining whites (a few white streaks may show, and this is not a problem).
• Pour into prepared dish.
• Put dish in slightly larger baking pan and add enough hot water in second pan to reach 1/3 up the side of the soufflé dish.
• Bake for 40 minutes (center will be very soft).
• Give a light dusting of icing sugar over top, bring to table immediately.
• Serve with Whipped Cream.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé SUNDAE

Steps:

• MAKE CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE:.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F
• In a medium bowl, melt the chocolate in a micro-wave oven at medium-high speed, stirring at 30-second intervals until smooth.
• Whisk in the butter until fully incorporated; let the mixture cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, whisk the 3 egg yolks with the whole egg and 1/3 cup of the sugar until blended.
• Add the melted chocolate and vanilla and whisk until smooth.
• In a medium bowl, beat the 3 egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
• Add the remaining 1/3 cup of sugar, 1 Tbsp at a time, beating for 10 seconds between additions.
• Continue beating at medium-high speed until the whites are firm and glossy.
• Whisk one-quarter of the meringue into the chocolate mixture until well blended.
• Gently fold the remaining meringue into the chocolate mixture just until no white streaks remain.
• Scrape the chocolate soufflé mixture into an ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate.
• Gently shake the pie plate to smooth the surface and bake for about 35 minutes, or until the soufflé is cracked and no longer wobbles.
• Transfer the soufflé to a wire rack to cool.
• Meanwhile, line a large plate with plastic wrap and freeze until well chilled.
• Scoop ice cream balls onto the chilled plate and freeze them.
• If necessary, soften the ice cream in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before scooping.
• Set the ice cream balls on the soufflé, mounding them in the center.
• Drizzle with 1/4 cup each of Caramel Sauce and Chocolate Sauce, cut into wedges and serve right away.
• Pass the remaining sauce at the table.
• CARAMEL SAUCE:.
• In a small saucepan, heat the cream just until small bubbles appear around the edge.
• In a medium saucepan, cook the sugar with the water over high heat until the sugar is dissolved, washing down the side of the pan with a wet pastry brush.
• Continue cooking, without stirring, until a light honey-colored caramel forms, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and carefully stir in the scalded cream.
• Let cool for 1 minute, then stir in the vanilla & serve warm.
• BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE:.
• In a medium saucepan, heat the cream just until small bubbles appear around the edge.
• Remove from the heat, add the chopped chocolate and let stand for 1 minute.
• Add the vanilla and stir until smooth; serve warm.
• *The chocolate soufflé crust can be baked up to 1 day ahead; cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature.