Fluffy Chocolate Souffle Food

FLUFFY CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut a parchment collar about 20 inches long by 6 inches high. Brush the top half of one side with butter. Butter sides only of a 1-quart souffle dish; coat with an even layer of sugar; set aside.
• In a small heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk together 1/4 cup sugar and milk. Bring to a boil; remove from heat.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup sugar, the flour, and egg yolks. Slowly pour the hot-milk mixture into the egg-yolk mixture, whisking constantly.
• Transfer milk-and-yolk mixture to saucepan. Whisk over medium-high heat until mixture thickens, about 40 seconds. Make sure to whisk along side of pan to prevent scorching.
• Remove pastry cream from heat, add chopped chocolate, and whisk until melted. Add cocoa powder; whisk until combined. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine egg whites and cream of tartar on low speed until frothy. Increase to medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar. Increase mixer speed to high, and whisk until stiff but not dry peaks form.
• Whisk chocolate pastry cream to loosen and release steam, add 1/3 of the egg-white mixture, and whisk vigorously until mixture is combined and lightened.
• Using a rubber spatula, lightly stir remaining egg-white mixture to loosen; this will keep you from overmixing the souffle. Fold remaining egg whites into lightened chocolate cream.
• Transfer souffle mixture to prepared dish, and smooth top with a spatula. Secure parchment collar around dish with kitchen twine so that the collar extends 3 inches above the dish. Place in oven, and bake for 10 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees, and cook for 20 minutes more for a creamy center or 25 minutes more for a slightly drier center.
• If desired, dust souffle with confectioners' sugar; serve immediately.

JAPANESE PANCAKES: SOUFFLé PANCAKE RECIPE

Steps:

• Whisk the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of sugar until pale and frothy. Mix the milk in batches. Sift the flour and baking powder over the yolk mixture and whisk well making sure everything is incorporated.
• Whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar until frothy and pale, adding in the sugar in bit at a time until the whites are whipped into a glossy thick meringue that holds a peak. Be careful not to over whip.
• Take 1/3 of the whipped egg whites and whisk it into the bowl with the yolks until completely incorporated. Add half of the remaining whites and whisk into the yolk batter, being careful not to deflate. Transfer the egg yolk mixture to the remaining egg whites, whisk and then use a spatula to fold together.
• Heat up a large non stick frying (with a lid) pan over low heat. Very lightly brush with oil and use a paper towel to rub it around. You want a very light film. Using an ice cream scoop or measuring cup, scoop the batter onto the pan. Unless you have a very large pan with a lid, it's probably best to make these two or even one to a pan. Scoop the batter onto the pan, cover and cook for 4-5 minutes. If you have a crepe maker or griddle with a lid that will cover the entire thing without touching the pancakes, use that on the lowest setting.
• Remove the lid and add some more batter on top of each pancake. Cover and continue to cook for 4-5 more minutes. Lift the lid and use a spatula to gently peek under the pancake. The pancake should release easily - don't force it.
• If you still have any batter left, pile it on top of the pancakes and then gently flip. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes. The pancakes will grow even taller and fluffier when they're done.
• Once the pancakes are golden and cooked through, gently remove and serve on a plate with powdered sugar, butter, whipped cream, and maple syrup. Enjoy immediately!

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 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.

JAPANESE SOUFFLE PANCAKES

Steps:

• Separate the eggs, putting all 4 of the whites into a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer) and 2 of the yolks into a medium mixing bowl. Discard the remaining 2 yolks (or save them for another recipe).
• Add 1 tablespoon of the sugar, the vanilla, and the baking powder to the yolks and whisk to combine. Add the cake flour (or the cake flour and cocoa powder if making the chocolate version) and milk and whisk again to combine.
• Add the lemon juice (if using), salt, and cream of tartar to the egg whites in the other mixing bowl and use an electric mixer (or the stand mixer) fitted with a whisk attachment to whip the mixture until foamy, about 1 minute on medium speed. Continue whipping while you add the remaining 5 tablespoons of sugar. Once all of the sugar is incorporated, raise the speed to high and whip until to glossy and stiff peaks, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Scoop a cup or so of the egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture and then use a rubber spatula to gently fold the two mixtures together. Fold in the remaining egg white mixture in two batches, folding just until the two are combined.
• Heat a large, lidded nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Once the pan is hot, spray it with cooking oil spray or grease it with butter. Spray or butter the insides of the ring molds, as well, being careful to fully coat the insides of the molds.
• Place as many molds into the skillet as you can fit comfortably (I can fit 2 in my largest nonstick skillet, but you might be able to fit 3. I usually use a small skillet at the same time with 1 mold in it, but that requires a lot of coordination and timing. If this is your first time, you might want to stick to making 1 or 2 pancakes at a time.)
• Spoon the batter into the molds, filling them until almost, but not quite full. Cover the skillet and let cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the lid and carefully slide a thin spatula underneath one of the pancakes. Use a second spatula or your hand protected by a silicone oven mitt to assist as you flip the whole thing over to cook the second side. Flip all of the pancakes in the skillet(s). Don't worry if a bit of batter splatters out around the ring when you flip the pancakes. Replace the lid and cook for about 3 minutes more. When the pancakes are done, any batter that has seeped out around the edge of the ring will be nicely browned. Carefully slide the thin spatula underneat the pancake and ring again and lift the whole thing out of the pan and onto a plate. Carefully remove the ring (you may want to wait a couple of minutes to let it cool a bit). Repeat with the remaining pancakes and batter.
• Serve hot, sprinkled with powdered sugar.

CHEF JOHN'S CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Brush bottom and sides of 2 (5-ounce) ramekins lightly with 1 teaspoon melted butter; cover bottom and sides right up to the rim. Add 1 tablespoon white sugar to ramekins. Rotate ramekins until sugar coats all surfaces. Pour off extra sugar.
• Place chocolate pieces in a metal mixing bowl. Place bowl over a pan of about 3 cups hot water over low heat. Do not let water boil or come to a simmer.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour. Whisk until flour is incorporated into butter and mixture thickens, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low. Whisk in cold milk until mixture becomes smooth and thickens, 2 or 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Transfer mixture to bowl with melted chocolate. Add salt and very small pinch of cayenne pepper. Mix together thoroughly. Add egg yolk and mix to combine. Leave bowl above the hot (not simmering) water to keep chocolate warm while you whip the egg whites.
• Place 2 egg whites in a mixing bowl; add cream of tartar. Whisk until mixture begins to thicken and a drizzle from the whisk stays on the surface about 1 second before disappearing into the mix, 2 or 3 minutes. Add 1/3 of sugar and whisk in. Whisk in a bit more sugar about 15 seconds; whisk in the rest of the sugar. Continue whisking until mixture is about as thick as shaving cream and holds soft peaks, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer a little less than half of egg whites to chocolate. Mix until egg whites are thoroughly incorporated into the chocolate, 1 or 2 minutes. Add the rest of the egg whites; gently fold into the chocolate with a spatula, lifting from the bottom and folding over. Stop mixing after the egg white disappears. Divide mixture between 2 prepared ramekins. Place ramekins on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven until scuffles are puffed and have risen above the top of the rims, 12 to 15 minutes.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butter 4 6-ounce ramekins generously.
• Place the butter and chocolate in a large microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30-second increments until completely melted, stirring after each increment.
• Use an electric mixer to whisk the egg yolks, vanilla and salt into the melted butter and chocolate until well combined, set aside.
• Wash the electric mixer beaters well. Then beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in another clean bowl until they hold soft peaks, about 2 minutes. Continue beating and gradually add the sugar until the egg whites are very stiff and glossy.
• Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture a little portion at a time until combined, being careful not to deflate the egg whites.
• Transfer into the prepared ramekins. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the center is nearly set. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.