Gorgonzola Souffle'
Sophisticated soufflé is the perfect first course for a special meal. They take a lot of eggs, which I have aplenty and which you can get from The Happy Egg Co.
They add a touch of elegance but aren't that difficult to make. Go ahead and try it out for your next special dinner...you can do it! Just don’t jump up and down in the kitchen... ’cause they’re fragile!
Gorgonzola Soufflé with Basil and Lemon Champagne Vinaigrette
Courtesy of The Happy Egg Co.
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Yields: 4 Servings
Ingredients:
- 5 Free Range on Pasture egg whites, room temperature
- 4 Free Range on Pasture egg yolks, room temperature
- 5 Tbsp salted butter divided (use about 1 Tbsp to coat inside of ramekins)
- 1/2 cup grated Grana Padano cheese or any other dry aged cheese divided (about 2 Tbsp used to coat inside of ramekin)
- 3 Tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk, scalded
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp ground thyme
- 1/4 tsp ground marjoram
- 3 oz Gorgonzola, crumbled
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 cup basil chiffonade
- 4 tsp Lemon Champagne Vinaigrette (recipe to follow)
Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing:
- 1/2 cup Champagne or white wine vinegar
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 whole lemon zest
- 1/2 Tbsp ground black pepper
- 3/4 Tbsp salt
- 1 cup olive oil
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400° F
2. Butter the ramekin bottom and sides all the way to the top edges (this will allow the soufflé to rise above the edges) and sprinkle the Grana Padano onto the sides and bottoms of each ramekin. Set aside.
3. Melt the remaining butter in a medium saucepan.
4. Slowly add the flour and blend with a whisk (no lumps allowed) and cook for a few minutes to cook off the flour taste.
5. Reduce the heat and slowly whisk in the scalded milk and then add the dry mustard, thyme and marjoram and continue to cook for about a minute until thick and smooth.
6. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in the egg yolks. Then add the gorgonzola and the remaining Grana Padano cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. Place this mixture into a medium sized bowl and set aside.
8. Place the egg whites and the cream of tartar into a large bowl and with an electric mixer beat the whites to firm peaks.
9. Into the bowl with the Gorgonzola mixture whisk in about a cup of whites to lighten the mixture and then GENTLY fold the remaining egg whites into the mix about two cups at a time. You want to maintain the air in the egg whites as much as possible.
10. Divide the mixture into the 4 ramekins with a spoon and then smooth the top.
11. Place the four ramekins on a baking sheet, place them in the preheated oven and then close the door. Reduce the temperature to 375° and leave them in the oven for 15-18 minutes, try to not open the door.
12. To test if done, insert a knife in the center. It should come out clean, a little wet is fine, but the mixture should be cooked through.
13. Place each ramekin on a dinner plate and quickly top with 1/4 cup of basil chiffonade. Drizzle with Lemon Champagne Vinaigrette and freshly cracked pepper. Serve immediately.
Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing:
1. Blend everything except the olive oil together.
2. Slowly whisk in olive oil.
3. Cover and refrigerate.
Basil Chiffonade:
1. Stack the basil leaves, roll them like a cigar, and slice into thin ribbons.
For other mouthwatering egg-centric recipes, visit happyeggco.com.