Flourless Chocolate Souffle With Raspberry Cream Food

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Melt the 4 Tablespoons of butter and the chopped chocolate together in a double boiler or in a large heatproof bowl in the microwave. Microwave in 20 second increments, stirring after each until completely melted and combined. Slightly cool for 3-5 minutes.
• Whisk egg yolks, vanilla extract, and salt into chocolate mixture. Set aside.
• In a completely clean residue-free medium glass or metal mixing bowl, using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar together on high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. With the mixer running on high speed, slowly add the sugar in 3 additions about 1 Tablespoon at a time, beating for 5 seconds before adding the next Tablespoon. After all 3 Tablespoons of sugar have been added, beat until stiff glossy peaks form, about 2 more minutes. Do not over-beat.
• Slowly and gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. It's best to do this in 3 separate additions, combining each addition completely before folding in more.
• Refrigerate the batter for 5-10 minutes as you preheat the oven and prepare the ramekins. (No need to cover the batter unless you are refrigerating it for longer than 1 hour. Can be made up to 2 days in advance, see make ahead instructions below.)
• Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat to 400°F (204°C).
• Brush four 6-ounce oven-safe straight sided ramekins with a generous coating of the softened butter. Sprinkle in the granulated sugar, then shake/rotate each to ensure every spot of the ramekin has a sugar coating. Place ramekins on a baking sheet. Discard excess sugar.
• Spoon batter evenly into ramekins. Using a knife or icing spatula, smooth down the surface. Run a knife, icing spatula, or your thumb around the rim at the top, creating a "channel" between the batter and the rim of your pan. Feel free to wipe the edges clean with a towel, though I don't always do that and don't notice a difference in appearance or rise.
• Place baking sheet with ramekins on top in the oven. Immediately reduce oven temperature to 375°F (191°C). Bake for 13-14 minutes or until the edges are set and the center just barely jiggles when you give the pan a light tap. Avoid opening/closing the oven too much.
• Remove from the oven and serve immediately plain or with optional toppings. Soufflés begin to fall within minutes. You'll still have that sponge-like texture underneath a crackly top, though it settles into a denser texture as time passes. Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 375°F. Toast pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until fragrant and slightly darkened, 5-6 minutes. Let cool slightly, then coarsely chop.
• Meanwhile, butter ramekins, making upward strokes up the sides with a pastry brush. Sprinkle with sugar, tilting to coat completely and tapping out any excess. Arrange prepared ramekins on baking sheet.
• Combine chocolate and jam in a medium heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (do not let bowl touch water); stir constantly until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, 1-2 minutes. Remove bowl from heat. Stir in egg yolk and 1/4 tsp. salt.
• Beat egg whites and a pinch of salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on medium speed until frothy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, 1 Tbsp. at a time, and beat until medium peaks form, 6-7 minutes.
• Using a rubber spatula, fold one-quarter of the beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten. Fold in remaining egg whites in 2 batches. Divide batter among prepared ramekins, filling completely.
• Transfer baking sheet with ramekins to oven and bake soufflés until puffed and tops feel firm to the touch, 18-20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using an electric mixer on medium-low speed, beat cream in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Dollop soufflés with cream, top with chopped pistachios, and serve immediately.

RASPBERRY SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare 4 (8-ounce) ramekins or a 1 1/2-quart souffle dish by greasing with softened butter and coating with granulated sugar, pour out any excess. The butter and sugar will keep the souffles from sticking to the sides and will allow them to rise evenly. The sugar will also give the souffle a crunchy crust, which is a great contrast to the soft interior.
• To make the fruit puree base, heat the raspberry puree, 3/4 cup sugar and butter in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook for 10 minutes to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat, cool slightly, then strain to remove the raspberry seeds. Whisk in the egg yolks 1 at a time.
• In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar just until they hold soft peaks. Fold 1/3 of the beaten whites into the raspberry mixture to lighten it. Then gently fold in the rest. Spoon into the prepared ramekins or souffle dish and place on a cookie sheet. Bake on the middle rack for about 20 minutes. The souffle is done when it has puffed over the rim, the outside is golden and the center giggles slightly. Take care not to over bake. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY FLOURLESS CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium pan, combine sugar, water and butter. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add chocolate, stir until melted and smooth. In a mixing bowl, combine eggs and egg yolks and beat to mix well. Slowly add chocolate mixture and framboise and mix well. Pour into greased molds and bake for 6 to8 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand a few minutes. Invert onto serving plates and garnish with fresh raspberries and whipped cream.

WHITE HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Toast the hazelnuts in the oven until golden brown and fragrant, about 10 minutes, checking often. Remove the skins from the nuts by rubbing them in a towel while they are still hot. Grind in food processor until they are powdered.
• In a saucepan, combine the flour, milk, egg yolks, 6 ounces of the sugar, and the salt. Place the saucepan over medium heat, and cook until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan.
• Melt the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Add the melted chocolate to the flour mixture and stir well. Set the mixture aside to cool and rest.
• Melt the butter. Brush the inside of 4 (2-ounce) souffle molds with the melted butter. Sprinkle some sugar inside the molds and tap out the excess to leave a light coating of sugar all around the inside of the mold.
• Whip the egg whites to soft peaks. Gently fold the egg white into the chocolate mixture, alternating with the hazelnut powder. Place the souffle mixture into the prepared molds. Bake for 18 minutes. Serve immediately.

RASPBERRY SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Generously butter four 8-ounce ramekins with the softened butter and then, using a pastry brush, brush the butter on the sides of the ramekins in an upward direction; it will help the souffles rise. Dust the ramekins with 1 tablespoon superfine sugar, dividing it evenly among the ramekins.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the raspberry liqueur, lemon juice, 1 cup raspberries and the remaining 2 tablespoons superfine sugar and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until the raspberries have cooked down to a jam-like consistency, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
• Transfer 1 cup of the sauce to a large bowl and set aside. Reserve the rest in the pan.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F; position the rack in the middle.
• Divide the remaining 1/4 cup raspberries among the ramekins and top evenly with the raspberry sauce from the pan. Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on low speed until foamy, 1 minute. Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat on low speed for 1 minute. Raise the speed to medium and slowly add the powdered sugar. Continue to beat until the whites hold firm peaks, about 7 minutes. Fold a third of the beaten whites into the reserved 1 cup raspberry sauce to lighten it. Fold in the remaining egg whites. Spoon the souffle batter into the ramekins, smoothing it over if you want a tidy finish (see Cook's Note) or mounding it, like cotton candy, if you want a more rustic look. (If you are going for a classic souffle look, be sure to carefully and thoroughly wipe around the ramekin edges.)
• Place the ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the souffles are puffed and dark golden, about 15 minutes; they should remain pudding-like on the inside. Serve immediately, garnished with raspberries, if desired.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the inside of a 1 1/2-quart souffle mold with softened butter. Fill the mold with granulated sugar, then pour out the excess. If you have properly buttered the mold, the sugar will stick to the side and bottom of it. The butter and sugar keeps the souffle from sticking to the side of the mold and allows it to rise evenly. The sugar also gives the souffle a crunchy crust.
• Place a double boiler 1/2 filled with water over high heat and bring to a boil. Place the chopped chocolate in the top of the double boiler and melt until quite hot. Stir occasionally.
• Place the eggs, sugar and lemon in another double boiler placed over boiling water. Whisk the egg mixture until lukewarm. Remove the egg mixture from the heat and pour into the bowl of a stand mixer. Whip to stiff peaks. While the egg mixture is whipping, check the chocolate. It should be hot to the touch. Stop the mixer. Use a rubber spatula to fold the hot chocolate into the whipped egg whites.
• Use a rubber spatula to gently place the souffle mixture in the buttered and sugared mold. Fill to about 1 inch above the rim of the mold. Place the souffle in the center of the oven and allow enough room for it to rise. If the souffle is too close to the top of the oven or under a rack, it will stick when it rises. If the souffle is too close to the bottom of the oven, the bottom of the souffle will burn before the inside is properly baked. Bake until the souffle has risen 1 1/2 times in height and starts to brown on top, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and dust the top with the powdered sugar. Serve immediately with a side of whipped cream or Creme Anglaise.
• Note: This souffle can also be baked in buttered and sugared individual size molds. Use a pastry bag with a large opening (no tip) to pipe the souffle mixture into the molds about 1 inch above the rim. Bake until risen in height and lightly browned on top, 6 to 8 minutes.

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Fit the souffle dish, or dishes, with doubled bands of foil, brushed with vegetable oil. The foil should extend about 3 inches above the rim of the dish(es).
• Using a double-boiler, or heat-safe bowl over saucepan with simmering water, melt both chocolates, stirring occasionally, until smooth.
• In a separate bowl, beat egg YOLKS, until they are thick and pale.
• In a small saucepan, combine the raspberry juice with 1 1/2 T of sugar. Bring to a simmer, then add to the egg yolks in a very slow stream, beating constantly. If you add too quickly, it will cook the yolks. Continue to beat mixture for 1 minute.
• Add yolk/raspberry mixture to chocolate in the same manner as above.
• In a large bowl, beat egg WHITES until frothy, then add the cream of tartar. Continue to beat until the whites hold soft peaks. Add the 1/3 cu sugar a little at a time and continue beating until whites have stiff, glossy peaks.
• In a chilled bowl, beat the cream until is has stiff peaks.
• Stir 1/4 of the whites mixture into the chocolate mixture, then fold in the remaining whites. Just before they are fully incorporated, fold in the whipped cream.
• Spoon mixture into the prepared souffle dish(es), cover loosely and chill for at least 3 hours or until set. Remove collar just before serving.
• Can be made up to 1 day in advance.