Muenster Cheese Soufflé with Red Bell Pepper and Tomato Salad

Muenster Cheese Soufflé with Red Bell Pepper and Tomato Salad
Muenster Cheese Soufflé with Red Bell Pepper and Tomato Salad
Real French Muenster (available at specialty foods stores) will make a big difference in this soufflé. What to drink: A dry white wine with plenty of perfume, like Gewürztraminer.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Makes 4 servings
French Milk/Cream Cheese Egg Pepper Tomato Appetizer Bake Lunch Fall Winter Bon Appétit Vegetarian Pescatarian Kosher
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk
  • 3 large eggs, separated

Preparation Bring milk just to simmer in small saucepan; remove from heat. Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook roux 2 minutes, whisking constantly (do not brown). Gradually whisk in warm milk. Cook until sauce is smooth and thick enough to drop from whisk in thin ribbon, whisking constantly, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in cumin and season generously with salt and pepper; transfer to medium bowl. Cool 10 minutes. (Soufflé base can be made ahead. Press plastic wrap onto surface. Let stand 2 hours or chill 1 day. Bring to room temperature before using.) Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter 4- to 5-cup soufflé dish; coat inside with panko. Whisk egg yolks into soufflé base 1 at a time; stir in cheese cubes. Beat egg whites and pinch of salt in another medium bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold egg whites into soufflé base in 3 additions; transfer to prepared dish. Bake soufflé until puffed, brown on top, and firm but jiggly to touch, about 28 minutes. Spoon soufflé onto 4 plates. Arrange salad alongside and serve. *Available at some supermarkets and at Asian markets. Test-kitchen tip:To cube soft Muenster cheese, pare off the rind, then cut cheese into 1/3-inch slices. Freeze slices 15 minutes to firm, then cut into small cubes. Separate cubes on plate and chill.

Preparation Bring milk just to simmer in small saucepan; remove from heat. Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook roux 2 minutes, whisking constantly (do not brown). Gradually whisk in warm milk. Cook until sauce is smooth and thick enough to drop from whisk in thin ribbon, whisking constantly, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in cumin and season generously with salt and pepper; transfer to medium bowl. Cool 10 minutes. (Soufflé base can be made ahead. Press plastic wrap onto surface. Let stand 2 hours or chill 1 day. Bring to room temperature before using.) Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter 4- to 5-cup soufflé dish; coat inside with panko. Whisk egg yolks into soufflé base 1 at a time; stir in cheese cubes. Beat egg whites and pinch of salt in another medium bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold egg whites into soufflé base in 3 additions; transfer to prepared dish. Bake soufflé until puffed, brown on top, and firm but jiggly to touch, about 28 minutes. Spoon soufflé onto 4 plates. Arrange salad alongside and serve. *Available at some supermarkets and at Asian markets. Test-kitchen tip:To cube soft Muenster cheese, pare off the rind, then cut cheese into 1/3-inch slices. Freeze slices 15 minutes to firm, then cut into small cubes. Separate cubes on plate and chill.