Saturday, October 31, 2009

Cranberry Soufflé - Pink Saturday



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...A soufflé is a magnificent egg creation that should be served hot from the oven. It can be sweet or savory and, when the planets are in perfect alignment, it will tower above the mold in which it bakes. Soufflés collapse as they cool, so efforts to photograph them can be heroic. My only usable pictures were taken while they were still in the oven. The soufflé was created in the 19th century by chef Antonin Carême, who was arguably the first celebrity chef. While his culinary achievements are legendary, he is also remembered as being a prolific food writer and as the man who created the chef's hat, the toque. I'll wager he'd hate to know that the toque is included in his biography.

Soufflés rise because stiffly beaten egg whites trap air and allow them to expand with the heat of the oven. There are two components to a soufflé; a base which can be a sauce, pastry cream or puree and stiffly beaten egg whites that are used to lighten the base. There are several tricks to making a successful soufflé. A pinch of table salt added to the whites and using a collar to guide the soufflé as it rises are among them. More important still is a can-do attitude. The only hard and fast rule I have to share with you is don't open the door while the soufflé is baking. It will deflate like a balloon.

This cranberry soufflé is the creation of Michel Richard, the executive chef at Citronelle. It actually is very easy to do. It uses a puree of cranberries and sugar as a base and it requires no collar as it bakes. If you want your family or guests to see the soufflé at the height of its glory move it quickly from the oven to the table. This soufflé deflates quickly because there is no flour in it. I used a blender to puree the cranberries, adding small amounts of water only as need to continue processing. The puree should have the consistency of a bechamel sauce or pudding, so use water sparingly. I have everything ready to go before I begin to beat the egg whites. I do add a pinch of table salt to the whites and I make it a point to throw a pinch over my shoulder for luck. This is a wonderfully seasonal recipe. I hope you'll give it a try and enjoy this lovely cranberry creation.


Cranberry Soufflé...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1/2 cup fresh cranberry purée mixed with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 cup of sugar, plus another 1/2 cup for coating soufflé dishes
2 tablespoons butter, softened
4 egg whites
.
5 (6-oz.) soufflé dishes

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2) Puree cranberries and mix with 1/2 cup sugar in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
3) Using a pastry brush, generously coat soufflé dishes with butter, then coat them with 1/2 cup sugar. Turn them upside down to remove excess sugar. Set them on a baking sheet.
4) Quickly beat egg whites with a pinch of table salt, adding a 1/2 cup of reserved sugar a teaspoon at a time, until soft peaks are formed.
5) Fold whites into cranberry purée. Spoon batter into soufflé dishes. Bake for 25 minutes. Serve immediately with whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream. Yield: 5 servings.

Recipe courtesy Of Michel Richard.

This post is being linked to:

Pink Saturday, sponsored by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

66 comments :

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Thy look absolutely divine, Mary! So light an puffy. I haven't made a souffle in ages ... and seeing these I'm encouraged to make one soon.

Happy Pink Saturday!

Regina said...

I love this Mary. Wonderful.
Enjoy the weekend.

Elena said...

Mmmmm, looks nice & I'm sure tastes good .... Happy pink saturday Mary.

Have a lovely week.
ciao for now,
Elena :)

tracieMoo said...

Wow.. these looks really great.. Any other fruits that I could replace cranberries with? It's kind of hard to get them here.. Thanks for the sharing the recipe!

Federica Simoni said...

mmmm..che delizia!

My Little Space said...

Soooo lovely! Look really smooth and tasty.

Lorie said...

Never made one. These are too pretty with that beautiful pink color.

Bunny said...

I always have to have my bib on when I come here for a visit. These look absolutely delicious. What beautiful Pinks for Pink Saturday. Enjoy

Tracey said...

Mmmm..what a fun treat this would be to make!!

Mollye said...

OOOOOOOOOOh Miss Mary, these look smooth and verrrrrrrrrrrry satisfying. I figured you would have some sort of pink pumpkin cookie today! Hugs, Mollye

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

I love Michel Richard... that means these souffle were excellent! Great job!

Katy ~ said...

If I made these, it would be one of the heights of my cooking achievements. Grins.

Michelle said...

Mary-This is such a great post for today...just love the history you provide and how fun are souffle's love the few ingredients needed. I can only imagine the dishes, utensils and pans, you must possess...you must be very organized. Have a great day.

Nancy said...

Looks like a yummy treat. Happy Pink Halloween. xoxo Nancy

Maggie said...

Mary,
They look scrumptious!
Thanks for visiting the French trick r treaters, we had fun!
Maggie

Mary Bergfeld said...

tracieMoo, you can use any fruit puree as long as it has the same consistency of a bechamel or pastry cream.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Michelle, you'd be surprised at how little equipment I have in my kitchen. I try to keep gadgets to a minimum.

Lyndas recipe box said...

These are gorgeous, Mary! I've always been wary of making a dish like this, but I'd certainly love to try yours..its beautiful!

Foodiewife said...

My first, recent, attempt with a savory souffle turned out fine. I'd love to make a sweet one, and this one would be lovely. Great tips-- but one more thing... have fresh batteries in your camera! I'm speaking from experience. Mine died on shot #2 and the deflating was already on the way. It's so fun to see them puff up! Love this recipe, because it's so different.

Glennis said...

Wow!! That looks delicious! Mmm! I'm going downthread to see your pan de muerto.

Happy Pink Saturday!

The Cooking Photographer said...

Beautiful Mary. So perfect and fluffy and I learned something too!

Laura

JJ said...

I was already feeling hungry - now I'm starving! Those pink souffles look delicious & I will give them s try.
Happy PS
JJ

Donna-FFW said...

How lovely, so smooth and puffy with such gorgeous color!!

kayellen said...

oh yummy!!!
Happy Pink Saturday:)


KayEllen

Ivy Lane said...

My mouth is watering !! The photo is worthy of a cookbook! Beautiful!

Happy Pink Saturday!

NKP said...

How wonderful!
I have yet to make a souffle, but these pink beauties are calling my name.
I have a thing for chefs hats, I have two now, I guess I owe Careme a thank-you!

Ann said...

I love that color, its super cool and looks sooo silky smooth and yum

CC said...

They look beautiful..and I can just imagine a spoon going into one of these pretties. Yummmmm. I would like to have one now...what a beautiful site you have with all the great recipes. Happy Pink Saturday and have a wonderful Halloween.

Char said...

That eye candy looks YumO. It's a delight to come in here every week and see what you have been up to Mary, what you are sharing with the rest of us...thankyou so much for taking the time to bring us great food every week, Happy Pink Saturday my friend and Happy Halloween, Char

The Chef In My Head said...

Mary, these are so sweet and pretty! I have a collection of small ramekins that I need to put to good use, this is a perfect idea. Your story about Lily was beautiful and very touching. What a beautiful personal Guardian Angel you have and I'm sure you blessed her life in many ways as well. Happy Pink Saturday! LeslieMichele

LADY JANE said...

Yum! This looks wonderful! Sounds wonderful and I'm going to have to try it...the post for the hot chocolate looks to yummy too for a cold day like today! Hsppy PS

KathyB. said...

Oh , delectable looking ! Pink with cranberries! I have never made a souffle' before but just might try this!The history and stories you add to your recipes are very interesting . Do you read cook books and bios of chefs and cooks?

I DID make your recipe for cranberry/apple pie and will post a picture of it soon. It was delicious,and the filling was pretty too. It is a recipe I will use over and over! Thank-you.

suesueb said...

Absolutely beautiful and scrumptious looking! I love your blog, it always makes me so hungry though!! Happy pink week and Happy Halloween!

George Gaston said...

Nothing like being served one's very own soufflé! Mary, these are perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Many thanks...

stefanie said...

they are beautiful!!!!! almost to pretty to eat..almost

Tara said...

It looks like a cup full of fluffy pink goodness! Happy Pink Saturday and have a loveleigh weekend!

Janean said...

perfect combo: looks beautiful and tastes good! yay!

Michelle said...

WOW..what a luscious looking dessert and perfect for Pink Saturday!!

Anonymous said...

Oh,so very yummy looking, mary!...
my mouth is watering!
lovely for Pink Saturday...
gypsy

Sara Chapman in Seattle, USA said...

My god these are adorable. You're almost getting me to try them, but not quite. I'll admire yours. So cute I can hardly believe it.

Miss Rhea said...

Yum !! That looks wonderful !! i know I mine would come out like a Pink Pancake though, lol ! :) Happy Pink Saturday !!! :)

caren said...

Looks delicious! Reminds me of merangue (sp?)! Happy Pink Saturday!

SmilingSally said...

I'd never be able to accomplish this one, Mary. Happy Pink Saturday.

Claudia said...

Oh, I love souffles - this cranberry souffle looks scrumptious! Happy Pink Saturday!

Grace said...

Oh My Goodness! What a yummy post! Happy Pink Saturday...I definately have to try these thanks for the recipe. Grace

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Mary,

Happy PiNk Saturday and Halloween...

This is pure eyecandy....perfection!! It's fun to read about about food the way that you present it. :0)

Thanks so much for dropping by for a visit. I enjoy reading your kind comments. :0)

Scatter Bliss...
Stephanie

Shirl said...

Hello Mary, Happy Pink Saturday! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a sweet comment. This looks delish! I'll have to try it!
Blessings, Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage

peggy gatto said...

this sounds so wonderful! And, I think I can do this!!!
Mamy thanks!!

Anonymous said...

they look totally scrummy must have a try one day have a fab pink week

Deb in Hawaii said...

Amazing--they are so high and very pink too! ;-)

Unknown said...

I love cranberries; most people find them too tart. What a great idea! Thanks for the visit.

melissa said...

Absolutely devine! Perfect Pink Saturday Post!! :)

Dru said...

Wow - these are absolutely gorgeous! Such a beautiful shade of pink. Thanks for stopping by my blog, it's so appreciated. We were out of town yesterday, so I''m playing a little catch up today! Hope you had a nice Halloween and Happy Pink Saturday to you. Oh, and I had totally forgotten about French Onion Soup - my husband has wanted some for ages and I just keep forgetting. I'm definitely going to make your for him!! Thanks for sharing!

Summer Gypsy said...

What a lovely souffle! Beautifully delicious Pink Saturday Post! This is so perfect for the upcoming holidays! So glad that you visited me this morning! So happy to find your blog! Everything looks delicious. I love onion soup! I can smell it cooking from your recipe.
Blessings,
Marilyn

Vicki said...

Oh, Mary, it looks delicious and such a pretty color! Blessings to you and happy November! Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit. You always brighten my day! Vicki

Beverly said...

Oh, Mary. What glorious puffs of pink heaven. They are gorgeous.

Happy Pink Saturday.

Unknown said...

It looks pretty and sounds delicious. Thanks for the backstory on the souffle as well!

Julie said...

Those are beautiful and look so delicious!

Unknown said...

Se ve delicioso.
Happy Pink Saturday!!!

Tricia said...

Mary, you are an absolute artist with food - I can't believe how beautiful and yummy your dishes all look. I am going to have to make your apple lady apple cake too. It looks too good to believe. What a happy circumstance to have gotten this recipe. Thank you for sharing! And thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I hope your family appreciates your wonderful gift with food.

Smiles,
Tricia

Zurin said...

That looks magnificient! Ive never made souffle bcos ts too scary...in case it doesnt rise...but perhaps one day I will! So beautiful ur is n the colour is so sweet ..LOVE it. tq 4 sharing :)))

storyteller said...

Oh my! My mouth is watering from all your tasty photos and recipes as I play 'catch up' this morning. It's been a busy few days and I've fallen WAY behind in so many ways. I've snagged your French Onion soup recipe as it's one of my absolute favorite meals on a cool day. Thanks again for sharing and for visiting each of my blogs. It's a pleasure to have made your acquaintance in this virtual world.
Hugs and blessings,

Ciao Chow Linda said...

what a pretty pink souffle. Would never have thought to use cranberries, but it looks like something I'd want to try.

Giulia said...

Semplicemente fantastico! Complimenti!

Anonymous said...

Oh my...those are gorgeous!! Do I dare try to make something like that? Nahhhh. My Bobby G. wouldn't appreciate it. :) Happy (way late) Pink Saturday Mary.

Ju (The Little Teochew) said...

The most beautiful souffles I have ever seen!!

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