The Very Most Basic Spinach And Cheese Souffle Food

THE VERY MOST BASIC SPINACH AND CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and dust a 1-1/2 quart souffle dish with grated Parmesan or breadcrumbs. Separate the eggs. Put egg whites in mixer bowl with cream of tartar. To make a white sauce, in a medium saucepan over medium high heat, melt the butter or margarine until it bubbles. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly until smooth and bubbly. Stir in milk all at once, than cook and stir until mixture boils and is smooth and thickened. To flavor the white sauce, stir in the cheese until melted. Stir in the spinach. Set aside. Beat the egg whites only until they cling to the side of the mixing bowl when you roll and tilt it. Add the yolks to the sauce, and stir. To fold the sauce into the whites, first mix about a quarter of the whites right into the sauce in the pan, then empty the sauce into the whites in the mixing bowl. Gingerly but thoroughly fold the sauce into the whites. Then pour that mixture into the prepared souffle dish. Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. Don't open oven door for at least 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

CHEESE SOUFFLé IN 4 EASY STEPS

Steps:

• Preparing the soufflé dish: Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and place a baking sheet on the middle shelf. Butter a 15cm soufflé dish generously, then sprinkle in the breadcrumbs and rotate the dish to ensure the butter is evenly coated. Tip out any excess breadcrumbs.
• Making a thick white sauce: In a pan, melt the butter over a medium heat; stir in the flour and mustard. Cook, stirring, for 1 min. Take off the heat and gradually stir in the milk, mixing it in thoroughly before adding more. Return to the heat and stir continuously until very thick (around 10 mins). Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool. Crack the eggs, placing the whites into a clean bowl and stirring the yolks into the sauce. Stir in cheddar and season well.
• Adding the egg whites: Use a clean whisk to beat the egg whites until peaks form that just hold their shape (electric is best as it will make the job much quicker). Then take a metal spoon and gently stir the whipped whites into the white sauce in a figure of eight.
• Top-hatting: Spoon the mixture into the dish. Run a cutlery knife around the edge to create a 'top hat' effect; this ensures the soufflé rises above the rim and doesn't stick. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 25-30 mins until the top is golden and risen and has a slight wobble. Serve immediately.
• EQUIPMENT: 15cm soufflé dish, saucepan, 2 large mixing bowls, wooden spoon, spatula, baking sheet, large metal spoon, measuring jug, grater, electric whisk, cutlery knife.

SPINACH SOUFFLE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In large bowl, combine cottage cheese and eggs. Add spinach, 1-1/4 cups cheddar cheese, salt and nutmeg. Spoon into greased 12x7-1/2x2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° until set, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese and let stand 5 minutes.

EASY SPINACH SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl whisk together egg, milk, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Fold in spinach. Place in a small casserole dish.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until lightly set.
• NOTE: If you are in a hurry, use a microwave safe casserole dish, cover with plastic wrap, and cook on high for 3 minutes. Release the steam, recover, and cook on high for another 3 minutes. Enjoy!

SOUFFLE OF SPINACH AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Butter a five-cup souffle dish, making sure to butter the rim well. Place oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Remove spinach stems and wash leaves. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water cook spinach, uncovered, about three minutes or until very tender. Drain. Rinse under cold water and drain again. Squeeze by handfuls until dry. Puree in a food processor until finely chopped.
• Crumble cheese or cut into pieces and set aside.
• In a small, heavy saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly, about two minutes, until foaming but not browned. Remove from heat. Gradually whisk in the milk, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking, reduce heat to low, continue to cook, still whisking, about two minutes. Whisk in spinach puree and goat cheese, bring to a simmer. Season lightly with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• Remove from heat and whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time. Heat gently until slightly thickened, but do not allow to boil. Re-season if necessary.
• Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until stiff but still supple. Quickly fold one-quarter of the whites into the warm spinach mixture. Spoon the mixture into the remaining whites and fold in lightly but quickly.
• Transfer mixture to prepared souffle dish and smooth the top. Bake 20 minutes till puffed and browned. Souffle should shake slightly in the center when the dish is moved. Do not overbake. Serve at once.

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.

CHEESE SPINACH SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• White Sauce: Melt butter, stir in flour and heat until bubbly. About 3 minutes.
• Gradually add milk or cream, stirring constantly; cook 2-3 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper. Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon-colored.
• Turn off heat and stir egg yolks and onion into sauce, along with spinach and cheese.
• Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff. Gently fold into spinach mixture and turn into greased 2 qt casserole.
• Set in pan of hot water and bake about 20 minutes for individual soufflés and 30-40 minutes for the 2-quart dish.
• Makes about 6 -1 cup servings.
• Serve immediately.

CLASSIC CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Mix 50g butter and flour into a paste (known as beurre manié, see notes, below). Chill to firm for about 30 mins. Heat milk to boiling point with the onion, spices and bay leaf, then simmer gently for 5 mins. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Taste milk for flavour.
• Strain the milk into a large pan, pressing down on the onion to extract the maximum of flavour. Place the pan back on the heat and gradually whisk in the butter paste, adding in small pieces until you have a thick sauce.
• Season, then leave to cool for 3-4 mins. Whisk in egg yolks, grated gruyère and cheddar, plus two-thirds of the parmesan. Add the Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Check seasoning, leave to cool. Can be made 2 days ahead - bring to room temperature before continuing.
• Brush the insides of a soufflé dish (approx 20 x 8cm deep) with the remaining 25g butter, using upward brush strokes. Coat the base and sides evenly with some parmesan and freshly ground black pepper. Chill to set. Cut the gruyère slice into diamond shapes.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Coat a large, grease-free bowl with the lemon juice (see tip, below). Whisk the egg whites in the bowl, then whisk a third of them into the cheese mixture, to loosen. Carefully fold remaining egg whites into cheese mixture until well mixed, but still light.
• Spoon half the mixture into prepared dish. Dot with brie and top with remaining mixture. Gently level the top. Arrange gruyère on top, scatter with remaining parmesan. Bake for 10 mins. Reduce oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, bake for 15-20 mins. The soufflé should be evenly risen and slightly wobbly. Serve immediately - the centre will be soft, but will thicken slightly when served.