Classic Cheese Soufflé

Classic cheese souffle served on a white plate at a garden center in Southern California.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons unbleached all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 5 large egg whites
  • 1 cup (packed) coarsely grated Gruyère cheese (about 4 ounces)

Preparation:

  1. Position rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 400°F.  Butter 1 1/2-quart soufflé dish. Add Parmesan cheese and tilt dish, coating bottom and sides. Warm milk in heavy small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming.
  2. Meanwhile, melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until mixture begins to foam and loses raw taste, about three minutes (do not allow mixture to brown). Remove saucepan from heat; let stand one minute. Pour in warm milk, whisking until smooth.
  3. Return to heat and cook, whisking constantly until very thick, two to three minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in paprika, salt, and nutmeg. Add egg yolks one at a time, whisking to blend after each addition. Scrape soufflé base into large bowl. Cool to lukewarm. DO AHEAD: Can be made two hours ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.
  4. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in another large bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold 1/4 of whites into lukewarm or room temperature soufflé base to lighten. Fold in remaining whites in two additions while gradually sprinkling in Gruyère cheese. Transfer batter to prepared dish.
  5. Place dish in oven and immediately reduce oven temperature to 375°F.
  6. Bake until soufflé is puffed and golden brown on top and center moves only slightly when dish is shaken gently, about 25 minutes (do not open oven door during first 20 minutes).
  7. Serve immediately.

Yield:
4 servings

 

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