Palo Chocolate Soufflé 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!)

PALO CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Set a full kettle of water on to boil.
• Butter six 4-ounce soufflé cups and coat with sugar; set aside.
• Bring milk to boil in small saucepan. Meanwhile, melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cocoa to butter and heat with a whisk until it has a smooth, paste-like consistency. Reduce heat and cook for 1 minute.
• Slowly add hot milk, whisking until smooth, then blend in melted chocolate. Let cool for 5 minutes, then stir in egg yolks.
• Beat egg whites in separate bowl until frothy. Slowly add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time until glossy peaks form. Stir a heaping spoonful of egg whites into the chocolate, then fold in remaining whites until just combined.
• Pour the batter into prepared soufflé cups. Place cups in large baking dish and add enough boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the soufflé cups.
• Bake for 20 minutes. Serve immediately with warm Vanilla Sauce.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Put a rack on the lowest level of the oven and preheat to 375°F.
• Brush 8, 6-ounce individual soufflé molds or ramekins with the softened butter. Dust the bottom and sides of the molds with granulated sugar by pouring in a couple of tablespoons of sugar, then swirling around. Pour and shake out any excess sugar.
• To make the roux, use a medium saucepan to melt 8 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and stir constantly for approximately 3 minutes. The mixture should be very smooth. Turn off the heat and let sit.
• In a small saucepan, heat the milk over a low heat until it comes to a slow simmer. Whisk in both chocolates and stir until melted. Add the 1 cup of sugar, vanilla, and rum, and whisk until smooth.
• Gradually pour the chocolate mixture into the butter and flour mixture. Turn the heat back to low and whisk constantly until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 5-7 minutes.
• Whisk in the egg yolks one a time until fully incorporated.
• Turn off the heat and transfer the mixture into a large mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, combine egg whites, 1 teaspoon sugar, and cream of tartar. Whip with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
• Using a rubber spatula, transfer 1/4 of the egg whites into the soufflé mixture and stir until fully combined.
• Add half of the remaining egg whites and fold gently together until mixture is smooth, being careful to keep the airiness and lightness of the mixture. Add the remaining egg whites and fold in gently.
• Spoon the mixture into the prepared soufflé molds filling 3/4 of the mold. Bake 12-14 minutes or until the soufflés have risen and browned.
• Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately.