Never Fail Hot Raspberry Souffle Food

NEVER-FAIL HOT RASPBERRY SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Puree the raspberries and pass through a sieve. (You should have about 200ml). Pour into a small saucepan, add the sugar and bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Turn the heat down and simmer gently for about 10 minutes, until it forms a jam-like consistency. Set aside to cool.Preheat the oven to 200C.Beat the egg whites with the salt, gradually adding the extra sugar until shiny, stiff peaks form. With the beaters still running, spoon in a few tablespoons of raspberry mixture. Stop beating and gently fold through 2-3 more tablespoons of raspberry - it should just color the egg whites and give a delicate raspberry flavor. Taste the meringue and add more if you think the flavor is too subtle.Grease six individual souffle moulds (10cm x 7cm deep) with butter and dust with icing sugar, tipping out the excess. Carefully spoon the souffle mixture into the moulds. Bake for about 8 minutes, then turn the heat down to 180C and bake for a further 3-5 minutes, or until the souffles have risen well above the rim of the moulds and are lightly browned on top.Serve immediately with fresh raspberries.Tip: Use the leftover raspberry jam from the raspberry souffle recipe on your toast.

NEVER-FAIL CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Butter the bread slices on both sides (use the whole stick), then cut them into 3/4-inch squares. (Leave the crust on.)
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl until foamy, then gradually whisk in the milk.
• Alternate layers of bread and Cheddar in a low 2-quart oval baking dish, starting with the bread and ending with Cheddar (4 layers total). Pour in the egg mixture, and press the bread and Cheddar down into the egg. Refrigerate overnight, covered, so the bread soaks up the liquid.
• About 1 1/2 hours before serving, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bake until puffed, golden and cooked through, about 1 hour. Serve hot or warm.

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.

NEVER-FAIL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine cocoa and cornstarch thoroughly.
• Add a little of the cream and whisk to make a smooth paste.
• Whisk in remaining cream and the liqueur.
• I have made this with Kahlua, Grand Marnier, Chambord and brandy-- they're all good.
• If you use the evaporated milk instead of cream, expect the mixture to be pretty soupy.
• In a large bowl, beat egg whites until almost stiff.
• Slowly beat in sugar and beat until stiff and glossy.
• Now gently whisk a quarter of the egg whites into the cocoa mixture.
• Gently fold in another quarter.
• Now add all this mixture into the remainder of the egg whites and gently fold until well blended.
• Spoon the souffle batter into 6-to-8 1/2-cup sized custard cups.
• The volume you get will depend on how well you beat the egg whites and if you folded them into the cocoa mixture without deflating them too much.
• Don't worry, even if you only get 6 they will be wonderful.
• Set custard cups into a deep baking pan and carry this to the oven.
• Open oven, pull out rack, and set down pan.
• Now pour very hot tap water in the baking pan to come up about one-inch around the outside of the custard cups.
• (I do it this way so I don't have to carry the pan with the souffles and water to the oven-- it's heavy and you risk sloshing water into your souffles.) Slide in oven rack, close oven door and bake for 25 minutes.
• The centres will be a little runny, as they should be.
• Serve immediately.

HOT RASPBERRY SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter eight 3/4-cup soufflé dishes. Coat with sugar; tap out excess. Puree raspberries with 3 tablespoons sugar in processor. Strain into heavy medium saucepan, pressing on solids. Add cornstarch; whisk to blend. Whisk over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens to consistency of pudding, about 3 minutes. Transfer raspberry mixture to large bowl; cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead; cover and let stand at room temperature.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in another large bowl to soft peaks. Gradually add remaining 2/3 cup sugar, beating until stiff but not dry. Whisk 1/3 of whites into raspberry mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites. Divide soufflé mixture among prepared dishes. Bake until puffed and pale golden on top, about 15 minutes. Serve soufflés, passing chocolate sauce and ice cream separately.

HOT RASPBERRY SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F Butter 8 3/4 cup souffle dishes. Coat with sugar; tap out excess. Puree raspberries with 3 T sugar in processor. Strain into heavy medium saucepan, pressing on solids. Add cornstarch; whisk to blend. Whisk over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens to consistency of pudding, about 3 minutes. Transfer raspberry mixture to large bowl; cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead, cover an let stand at room temperature.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in another large bowl to soft peaks. Gradually add remaining 2/3 cup sugar, beating until stiff but not dry. Whisk 1/3 of whites into raspberry mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites. Divid souffle mixture among prepared dishes. Bake until puffed and pale golden on top, about 15 minutes. Serve souffles, passing chocolate sauce and ice cream separately.