A twist on some people's favourite Christmas dish....
Ingredients
- 450 g broccoli, trim off the very thick stalks
- 1 egg (plus 2 extra egg whites)
- 25 g butter
- 30 g plain flour
- 150 ml milk
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ whole nutmeg (grated)
- 25 g strong cheddar cheese (grated)
- 1 oz (25g) gruyere, grated
- 2 tblsp parmesan (grated)
- salt and coarse black pepper
- melted butter for the dish and collar
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F/Gas 6).
- Place the oven shelf in the lower third of the oven with no shelf above.
- Prepare the soufflé dish and its collar.
- Cut a piece of grease proof paper, 20x 12 inches (51x 30 cm).in length. Fold in ½ along the length so it now measures 20 x 6 inches (51x15 cm) doubled.
- Now Turn up a 1 inch (2.5 cm) fold along the length to stabilize the base of the collar.
- Butter the dish and sprinkle the inside with some of the parmesan, tipping the dish from side to side to coat the base and the sides.
- Empty out the excess cheese.
- Tie the paper collar around the dish with the 1 inch folded bit around the bottom.
- The paper will stand 2 inches (5 cm) above the rim of the dish.
- Fix with string. Butter the inside of the paper.
- The dish is now ready for the soufflé.
- Place the broccoli in a pot with a little water and a pinch of salt. Place a lid on top and cook until the broccoli is tender, approx 8/10 minutes.
- Prepare the eggs. Have a large bowl containing the egg whites ready. Separate the 2 extra eggs putting the egg whites in with the extra egg whites and the yolks into a small bowl.
- When the broccoli is tender allow to cool and whiz in a food processor until a smooth puree.
- For the sauce:
- Place the butter, flour and milk into a small pot and whisk over a medium heat until you have a smooth paste.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Place in a mixing bowl and add the cayenne, nutmeg, cheddar, Gruyere, And 1 tablespoon of parmesan.
- Add the 3 egg yolks, broccoli and thoroughly mix together.
- Whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks have formed.
- Using a large metal spoon, stir 1 tablespoon of the egg whites into the broccoli, then empty the broccoli mixture into the egg whites and fold, using cutting and turning movements, until everything is well mixed.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared dish, sprinkle the top with the remaining parmesan and place on a shelf in the lower part of the oven for 40/45 minutes.
