Mrs Lyndon Johnsons Spinach Soufflé Food

SPINACH SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the spinach in a colander to drain, pressing out as much excess liquid as you can.
• Make the bechamel sauce: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add the flour and stir until it becomes a thick paste. Add the milk 1/2 cup at a time, whisking well after each addition, until you have a smooth sauce. Remove from the heat and whisk in the salt, nutmeg and pepper. Taste for seasoning. Set aside to cool slightly.
• Beat the egg whites until just frothy with an electric mixer. Add the cream of tartar and beat on high speed until it forms firm peaks. Set aside.
• Whisk the egg yolks in a large bowl until they are pale yellow, then add the warm bechamel sauce a bit at a time. Switch to a large rubber spatula; gently mix in the spinach, Parmesan and 1/2 cup Romano. Fold in a third of the egg whites to lighten, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites until thoroughly combined but still light and fluffy.
• Lightly grease a 2-quart souffle dish with cooking spray or softened butter, then add the remaining 1/2 cup Romano and rotate the dish to coat the bottom and sides with the cheese. Pour in the souffle batter, then bake until puffy and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

SPINACH SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Saute onion in butter.
• Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon-colored.
• Stir into hot white sauce along with spinach and cheese.
• Fold in egg whites beaten until stiff, not dry, peaks are formed; turn into greased 1 1/2 qt casserole.
• Set in pan of hot water and bake about 50 minutes.
• White Sauce: Melt butter, stir in flour and heat until bubbly.
• Gradually add milk or cream, stirring constantly; cook 1-2 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Makes about 1 cup.
• Serve immediately.

SPINACH AND CHEDDAR SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter the inside of a 6 to 8-cup souffle dish (6 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches in diameter by 3 1/2 inches deep) and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. With a wooden spoon, stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Off the heat, whisk in the hot milk, the nutmeg, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, for 1 minute, until smooth and thick.
• Off the heat, while still hot, whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time. Stir in the Cheddar, 1/4 cup of Parmesan and the spinach and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Put the egg whites, cream of tartar, and a pinch of salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on low speed for 1 minute, on medium speed for 1 minute, then finally on high speed until they form firm, glossy peaks.
• Whisk one quarter of the egg whites into the cheese sauce to lighten and then fold in the rest. Pour into the souffle dish, then smooth the top. Draw a large circle on top with the spatula to help the souffle rise evenly, and place in the middle of the oven. Turn the temperature down to 375 degrees F. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes (don't peek!) until puffed and brown. Serve immediately.

CLASSIC FRENCH SPINACH SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
• Brush the inside of a 4 to 6-cup soufflé or deep casserole dish with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the softened butter , or grease six (5 to 6-ounce) individual ramekins, dividing the butter evenly. Sprinkle the buttered surface evenly with the grated Parmesan cheese. Set aside while you prepare the filling.
• Heat a large saucepan over low heat and add the chopped spinach. Sauté until it wilts and the juices have evaporated; keep a close eye on it as the spinach can burn. Let cool, then squeeze out excess liquid. Set aside.
• In a separate medium saucepan, melt the remaining butter over medium heat and stir in the flour and salt with a wooden spoon. Cook for 30 seconds, mixing constantly, to cook down the flour.
• Add the milk while whisking vigorously and cook for about 4 minutes, until the mixture thickens.
• Add the cooked spinach to the white sauce and continue cooking over medium heat for 1 minute. Season the mixture with black pepper, nutmeg, and more salt if needed.
• Place the egg yolks in a bowl and whisk in 1/2 cup of the hot spinach mixture to temper it.
• Add the egg yolk mixture to the pan, stirring to completely incorporate; remove from the heat. Do not overheat the mixture or you risk it separating; if this happens, unfortunately, there is no way to fix it.
• In a scrupulously clean bowl, beat the egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form.
• Gently stir 1/3 of the egg whites into the spinach mixture.
• Then fold the remaining egg whites into the mixture.
• Spoon the mixture into the prepared dish(es) and bake for 30 minutes, until the soufflé is puffed up and cooked through. A single souffle may take a few minutes longer.
• Serve immediately and enjoy.

MRS. LYNDON JOHNSON'S SPINACH SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Sauté onions in small amount of butter. Make white sauce of 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 cup whole milk (rich or light cream), 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Beat yolks until thick and lemon colored. Stir into white sauce and add spinach and cheese. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites and turn into greased casserole. Set in pan of hot water and bake in moderate oven (350°F) about 50 minutes. Serve at once.

SPINACH WITH WILD MUSHROOM SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Steam the spinach at a moderate heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Cool under running water, then drain, pressing out as much liquid as you can. Then chop finely. If using frozen spinach, defrost and squeeze dry.
• Gently sauté the garlic and mushrooms in butter; turn up the heat and evaporate the juices.
• When dry, add the spinach and transfer to a bowl. Cover and keep warm.
• Measure 3 tablespoons of milk into a bowl. Bring the remaining milk to a boil. Stir the flour and egg yolk into the milk that is in the bowl, and blend well. Stir the boiling milk into the eggs and flour mixture; return to the pan and simmer to thicken.
• Add the spinach mixture; season to taste with salt, pepper. and nutmeg.
• Butter a 3 3/4 cup soufflé dish, paying special attention to the sides.
• Sprinkle with a little of the cheese. Set aside.
• Whisk the egg whites until they hold soft peaks.
• Bring the spinach mixture back to a boil.
• Stir in a spoonful of beaten egg whites, and then fold the remaining mixture into the remaining egg whites.
• Turn into the soufflé dish; spread level. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake in the oven for about 25 minutes until puffed, risen, and golden.

MRS. LYNDON JOHNSON'S POPOVERS

Steps:

• Grease pans. Mix and sift flour and salt. Combine eggs, milk, and shortening. Gradually add to flour mixture, beating about one minute or until batter is smooth. Fill greased sizzling hot pans about three-quarters full and bake in very hot oven (450°F) about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate (350°F) and continue baking for 15 or 20 minutes.

MRS. LYNDON JOHNSON'S SPOON BREAD

Steps:

• Stir cornmeal into 2 cups milk and let mixture come to a boil, making a mush. Add balance of milk and well-beaten eggs. Stir in salt, baking powder, and melted butter. Bake 30 minutes in oven at 350°F.

LADY BIRD JOHNSON'S SPINACH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• If using fresh spinach, wash spinach and drain. Cook damp spinach in a hot skillet until wilted; chop coarsely.
• Combine spinach with cheese, onion, cream and 4 tablespoons of the butter. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Place mixture in a shallow, buttered 1 1/2-quart baking dish.
• Mix cracker crumbs with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle over spinach mixture.
• Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden and lightly crusted.
• ENJOY!