Thursday, February 17, 2011

Skillet Lemon Souffle






From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I'm not sure I really enjoy soufflés, but I do know that those who love to cook aren't considered skilled until they can make one. The soufflé was a very popular dessert in the 70's and 80's, and most folks, cooking at that time, mastered the art of whisk and collar and can put a soufflé on the table when they have to. There are several ways to make them. They are usually prepared with with a base of white sauce, custard or fruit puree to which egg whites and flavorings are added. I came across this recipe several years ago and have held on to it because it makes a perfect soufflé every time, if you follow instructions. The recipe was developed for Cook's Illustrated magazine and it is in their book, The Best Skillet Recipes, which can be found here. It's a great, but unconventional recipe, and to get the correct texture and volume, it's really important to use the 10-inch skillet called for in the instructions. As you scan the recipe, you'll see that its base is much lighter than that of a standard soufflé. That makes the use cream of tartar necessary. Cream of tartar is an odorless powder that is a byproduct of wine making. It's used to stabilize and add volume to beaten egg whites. It helps eggs retain their volume once they're beaten and that is very important in this recipe. The bad news is there is no really good substitute for cream of tartar, the good news is that it's readily available and can be found in the spice aisle of your grocery store. It's important not to open the oven door for the first 7 minutes the soufflé is in the oven. This deflates quickly, so it should be served as soon as it is finished. This version of the soufflé lacks the towering height and beauty of those that are classically prepared, but its flavor is sublime and will make lemon lovers weep. Really! I suggest you watch this video before you begin to make the souffle. Here's the recipe.

Lemon Soufflé Recipe...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Cook's Illustrated

Ingredients:
5 large eggs, separated
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2/3 cup (4 2/3 ounces) granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup juice from 2 to 3 lemons
1 teaspoon grated zest from 1 lemon
2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Directions:
1) Adjust a rack to middle of oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2) Using an electric mixer, whip egg whites and cream of tartar together on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Slowly add 1/3 cup of the granulated sugar and salt, then increase mixer speed to medium-high, and continue to whip until stiff peaks form, 3 to 5 minutes. Gently transfer the whites to a clean bowl and set aside.
3) Using an electric mixer (no need to wash the mixing bowl), whip yolks and remaining 1/3 cup sugar together on medium-high speed until pale and thick, about 1 minute. Whip in lemon juice, zest, and flour until incorporated, about 30 seconds.
4) Fold one-quarter of whipped egg whites into yolk mixture until almost no white streaks remain. Gently fold in remaining egg whites until just incorporated.
5) Melt butter in a 10-inch ovenproof (not nonstick) skillet over medium-low heat. Swirl pan to coat it evenly with melted butter, then gently scrape lemon souffle batter into skillet and cook over medium-low heat until edges begin to set and bubble slightly, about 2 minutes.
6) Transfer skillet to oven and bake souffle until it's puffed, center jiggles slightly when shaken, and surface is golden, 7 to 11 minutes. Using a potholder (the skillet handle will be hot), remove skillet from oven. Dust soufflé with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately. Yield: 6 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
White Chocolate and Passion Fruit Souffle - Jaana's Kitchen
Lemon Blackberry Souffles - Baking Bites
Chocolate Souffle for Valentine's Day - Zen Can Cook
Lavender and Lemon Souffles - Experiments of a Housewife
Pumpkin Souffles with Maple Pumpkin Ice Cream - Healthy Green Kitchen
Warm Banana Souffle - Moogie and Pap
Nutella Souffle - Felice in the Kitchen
Apricot Souffle - One Perfect Bite
Cranberry Souffle - One Perfect Bite

80 comments :

muppy said...

This looks devine :)

Banana Wonder said...

What a simple and fantastic recipe! Love the lemon flavor series you're dishing out this week. I can only anticipate what we have in store for us next week!

Elin said...

Mouthwatering souffles !! Thanks for sharing the recipe :)

Sue said...

I've never made a souffle, I love lemon, and I recently bought an iron cast skillet(I think it's 10"), so this would be a great recipe to try:) Thanks! It look so delicious.

Sue said...

Oops, I meant cast iron:)

Pondside said...

What a treat this must be! Of course I'll be trying it!

Asteri (Maria) said...

Delicious!
I love lemon!!!!

Emma said...

What a gorgeous, fluffy thing! And I love lemon, I use it quite often in desserts.

Spoon and Chopsticks said...

That first photo is really making me go for it!

Priyanka said...

Perfect.....I really want to have it ;)

Cherine said...

This looks awesome! the souffle must be delightful!

Amy said...

WOw, this looks amazingly light and fluffy! I want to get my hands on some and dive in! What a mouth watering recipe!

Amy
http://urty.it

Ana Rita Marreiros said...

Fantastic Mary!!!
Great recipe...

Kisses,

Rita

Priya Suresh said...

Thats soo wonderful..

Lucie said...

I'm thinking of trying this recipe next week, it looks delicious!

Since the soufflé deflates pretty quickly, since we'd only be two eating it, is it worth making or should I wait for more company? I'm wondering if we could keep the remainder of the soufflé since we won't be eating it all at once!

fuat gencal said...

Ellerinize, emeğinize sağlık. Çok leziz ve iştah açıcı görünüyor.

Saygılarımla.

Anonymous said...

The looks really pillow soft and delicious! YUMM!

Jean said...

i can see that u're having a lemon fiesta over here :) this looks absolutely divine

Diane said...

Mouth watering...... Diane

Alessandra said...

Fantastic, and in a skillet it looks so good!

Like Anna A I also like your lemon series :-)

Ciao

Alessandra

Fabi said...

You're right, it looks like you're not a cook untill you make a soufflé. I recently ade my first one and I felt so proud.
I love your proposal, it looks so mouthwatering and it's very original using a skillet for that. The books sounds promising, it seemes I have to put it in my amazon'e wish list. Cheers from Madrid.

Sushma Mallya said...

Fabulous Mary looks yummy..could u pass me tht spoon:)...have a lovely day!

Red Nomad OZ said...

I think I'll settle for being 'unskilled' - and let someone who IS a skilled cook make this wonderful looking dessert for me ... Any takers??!!

cocoa and coconut said...

This is definitely an unconventional souffle recipe - but you have had success with it so I'm very interested. The image looks delicoius

penny aka jeroxie said...

I love souffle and lemons so this is perfect for me

Tanna said...

Who knew Cream of Tartar was a by-product of wine making? Mary, I swear I learn something every day from you. That souffle looks so very beautiful.

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

This looks so light and yummy! I have never made a souffle but will eventually try one.

The Blonde Duck said...

Looks delicious to me!

Ana Powell said...

Mouthwatering, what a delicious treat ♥

Kim said...

With Cooks illustrated recipe, whe can't go wrong. This one, looks so good!!!! I love it, it's beautiful and the texture looks amazing!

Marysol said...

It's good to meet another citrus connoisseur's acquaintance.

There's absolutely everything to love in Skillet Lemon Soufflé!
That is a perfect bite.

kitchen flavours said...

I've never tried a souffle before. Would be interesting to make one and eat it too. Yours look wonderful and I love the lemon flavours in it!

Unknown said...

Looks simply wonderful, Mary! I've seen numerous souffle recipes go up over the blogsphere lately...maybe that's the sign that I actually try and make one now!! :)

Mateja ^_^ said...

This is really a perfet bite Mary! Stylish Blogger Award is waiting for you! To pick it up click: http://indulginglife.blogspot.com/p/my-awards.html

From the Kitchen said...

I mastered the art of souffle years ago and decided they were more trouble than they were worth (not enough "chew" for me). This recipe, however, is very appealing.

Best,
Bonnie

Angie's Recipes said...

Never made souffle in skillet..I meant, I didn't know it would work. This looks marvelous.

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I love lemon "anything" but this just looks lovely - I think the skillet is really an underused tool when it comes to desserts - more and more, I've been making cakes and Dutch babies in my skillet.

PeggyR said...

You are on a lemon kick! Norm loves anything with lemon in it.

Tasha said...

I don't think I've ever actually had a sweet souffle before, only a savory one. And I know I've never made one, and probably won't get the ambtition to anytime soon. But this does sound lovely with the lemon!

Clint said...

I like souffles, and this one looks particularly inviting.

But---I can never get enough to eat when souffle is the centerpiece. Thankfully, there is a McDonald's right doen the street. :)

Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook said...

Looks so light and so good, and I can just taste that lemon flavor! Loving this one, too!

Rachel said...

I have never attempted to make a souffle...I'm not sure that I've ever even tried one?! My husband and kids absolutely love lemon...this would be a wonderful treat for them!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi marry you are fantastic!!!!
The lemon souffle is delicious
kisses
leyla

June said...

I'm really enjoying your "lemon week" and this souffle looks like a fabulous addition to my "to do" list.

Chiara said...

looks soft and delicious mary!thanks for sharing this fantastic recipe! A hug....

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

Mary, this souffle looks incredibly light and fluffy and absolutely divine. What a wonderful dessert!

Beth said...

I've never made a souffle, but your lemon souffle looks perfect. Maybe this is the one that will build up my nerve!

Catherine said...

This looks beautiful Mary!
My brother would love if I made this for him. I will bookmark it and try it soon!
Blessings,
Catherine

Jeannie said...

oh your souffle looks perfect Mary!

Rita said...

Very Beautiful; you are really into the lemon them. Happy to get so many new ideas;love Lemons.
Rita

Unknown said...

Hello Mary.
Thank you for visiting my blog and for your nice comment. I am happy to meet you. Your blog is amazing! Photos, recipes, everything is so stylish and tasty.
I will follow you, and for sure I will borrow some recipes.

Brindusa @ Cooking with my soul

tasteofbeirut said...

This is such a grand dish and dessert! Love the idea to make it in a skillet, which adds to the casualness and elegance!

C&G said...

stunning soufflé...

Brandie@thecountrycook said...

I am loving all your lemon-inspired recipes!!

That Girl said...

I think I'm finally getting the hang of souffles, but I'm sure that cream of tarter would be immensely helpful.

art is in the kitchen said...

I had souffle before in a restaurant and never dared to make it. Your lemon souffle looks ten times better and I'm sure more delicious! I imagine like eating clouds almost! I'm going to venture now with your incredible recipe. You've just given me the courage! Cheers!!!

Katerina said...

I like the texture of souffles and this lemon one looks delicious!

RamblingTart said...

Thank you for including the video, Mary. :-) I've been scared to try a souffle but finally tackled it last year and oh - it was marvelous! It was a savory one though, so I would love to try a sweet one like this. :-)

mia maria said...

Delicious! I like all your lemon recipes :)

Faith said...

I've never had a lemon souffle, but I imagine it really is the perfect pair! I would love to try this, Mary. Thanks sharing and thanks for the video!

MaryMoh said...

I love anything with lemon. This dessert just looks heavenly. Thanks very much for sharing.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Good grief!! I've never seen the like. Guess you could also call it fired souffle!

Anonymous said...

Souffles are on the list of dishes I want to make, so I may look to your previous posts for tips!

Marguerite said...

What a great recipe! Looks and sounds so delicious! Thanks for sharing and for the video.

Hester Casey - Alchemy said...

Hi Mary, this looks light as a cloud. I like that your recipe makes a perfect souffle every time (if instructions are followed). I think most Irish people are incapable of following instructions, but I am going to try my best... :)

Unknown said...

I have never actually made one but I do like them! Yours here looks great - cool that it's made in the skillet!

teresa said...

oh yum! i've never had a souffle before, but it looks so fluffy and sweet, delicious!

Kankana said...

I had told my friend ones that the day I make a successful tasty souffle .. i might just cry. I really want to make an attempt but i feel am not there yet!

Sue @ JustforLicks said...

That looks so light and lovely! This is a great recipe. I just saved it to make for a dinner next week. Thanks!

Simply Life said...

oh I love this- it's so elegant!

Foodiewife said...

I've gushed, many times, of my complete trust in Cook's Illustrated recipes. I have many of their books, but not the skillet one. I'm so glad you shared this recipe, as we are lemon lovers in our home. I've made a souffle' once, and I don't know why I haven't done it again. I'm bookmarking this recipe, as it looks much simpler to do. (I'm still dreaming of that lemon sour cream pie, too.) Keep the lemons coming!

Joanne said...

I've never attempted a souffle before, nor am I particularly enamored with them in general but I think you're right...they are definitely something every cook should master at some point! This looks quite beautiful and the lemon flavor sounds lovely!

Anonymous said...

A lemon souffle cooked in a skillet, how cool is that?! Thanks for sharing this.

I’m forwarding to you two awards – One Lovely Blog Award and Stylish Blogger Award. Please read my post for the details, thanks. :)

Claudia said...

Oh I sighed through this, Mary. Just sighed at it. It really appeals and doing it in the skillet has a lot of eye appeal.

Kylie @ A Hungry Spoon said...

I'm so super impressed with your skillet souffle (not to mention that I LOVE lemon desserts!). I've only tried my hand at souffle once--I attempted mini chocolate souffles, and they weren't near as light as I hoped. Yours looks perfect though :)

Hope you have a great weekend!

foodie and the chef said...

Oh this looks scrumptious - I'm intrigued by the skillet recipe, and the lighter texture...

FOODESSA said...

Love this recipe and thanks for the tip...will take the time to watch the video also...at least to make sure I know what the heck I'll be doing ;o)

Thanks for sharing such an alluring dessert...mummm.

Ciao,
Claudia

scrambledhenfruit said...

I'm loving all of your lemons this week! This looks delicious. :)

Kristen said...

Souffles have me slightly intimidated, but this one looks do-able! Thanks Mary.

Kristen said...

Souffles have me slightly intimidated, but this looks like something I can take a stab at! Thanks, Mary.

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