Broccoli Souffles

Photo: flickr user iLoveButter

Ingredients

3 tablespoons Butter

3 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour

1 cup Milk

1 pch Grated Nutmeg

Salt

Cayenne Pepper

4 cups Broccoli Florets

4 Finely Chopped Shallots

2 tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese

4 Egg Yolks

cup Crumbled Blue Cheese

6 Egg Whites

Preparation

Melt 2 tbsp. butter ina large pan, add the flour, and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, gradually blend in the milk, then bring to a boil, stirring, until thickened. Add the nutmeg and salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Leave to cool for 10 minutes.

Steam the broccoli for 2-3 minutes, until just tender. Rinse in cold water, then chop coarsely.

Heat the remaining butter in a pan, add the shallots and cook gently for 3 minutes or until soft.

Butter the bottoms and sides of 4 1-cup souffle dishes. Sprinkle with a thin layer of Parmesan cheese. Set aside.

Beat the egg yolks and add to the cooled sauce along with the broccoli, shallots, and blue cheese.

Whisk the egg whites until they form stiff but not dry peaks. Stir 1-2 tbsp. of the egg whites into the broccoli mixture, then fold in remaining egg whites.

Pour the mixture into the souffle dishes. Bake the souffles in the top half of a 350F degree oven for 30 minutes. Serve the souffles immediately.