Genius Recipes
Jacques Pépin's Genius Cheese Soufflé Skips the Fussiest Step
Happy 84th birthday, dear Jacques!
Every week in Genius Recipes—often with your help!—Food52 Creative Director and lifelong Genius-hunter Kristen Miglore is unearthing recipes that will change the way you cook.
Have you heard the one about Jacques Pépin’s mom and the cheese soufflé? With a recipe and story this good—and with Pépin’s career teaching us all how to cook reaching a sixth decade—chances are you have.
But you may have missed the very simplest way it can fit into your life.
As the story goes, when his mother was newly married at seventeen, she made her first soufflés without separating and whipping the eggs, thereby discovering you don’t need to. The eggs still rise, a golden dome still forms, your spoon still slides into airy custard, again and again. It isn't quite as cloud-like, but some might argue it's even better.
In all the delight at this origin tale and the comforting prospect of a cheesy pouf without any egg-whipping anxiety, what you may not have noticed is that this also means the soufflé’s base is sturdier and can be made well in advance. In the video above, Pépin points out you can’t leave a traditional soufflé much more than an hour, but this one you can make several hours or a day ahead.
Even, Pépin joked,“A year ahead! Five years ahead!”
In further departure from tradition, Pépin likes to make this soufflé in a shallow gratin dish instead of the traditional high-sided ramekin, for more crusty surface area, so everyone can have a little of the best part.
But you can also divvy this out into individual molds, and, in one version he shared with the Washington Post, you can customize them. Add in whatever toppings you like—he’s layered in wilted Swiss chard or fresh corn and chile; his daughter Claudine has added cooked zucchini or cauliflower and cut back on the cheese (“Cover your ears!” she told her dad).
As for how and when to serve it (besides absolutely any time you’re in the mood for cheese), Claudine writes at the Jacques Pépin Foundation that in their family, “We usually serve it as a first course, but we love it for brunch and meatless dinners as well.”
A green salad and a bottle of white wine are all you need—you have the grand soufflé and the storytelling covered.
| 6 | tablespoons unsalted butter, plus additional to butter a 5- to 6-cup gratin dish |
| 1/4 | cup finely grated Parmesan cheese |
| 6 | tablespoons all-purpose flour |
| 2 | cups whole milk |
| 1/2 | teaspoon salt |
| 1/2 | teaspoon freshly ground black pepper |
| 5 | extra-large eggs (or 6 large ones) |
| 2 1/2 | cups grated Swiss cheese, preferably Gruyère (about 6 ounces), plus three more optional slices for garnish (roughly 2-inch by 3-inch) |
| 3 | tablespoons minced chives |
| 6 | tablespoons unsalted butter, plus additional to butter a 5- to 6-cup gratin dish |
| 1/4 | cup finely grated Parmesan cheese |
| 6 | tablespoons all-purpose flour |
| 2 | cups whole milk |
| 1/2 | teaspoon salt |
| 1/2 | teaspoon freshly ground black pepper |
| 5 | extra-large eggs (or 6 large ones) |
| 2 1/2 | cups grated Swiss cheese, preferably Gruyère (about 6 ounces), plus three more optional slices for garnish (roughly 2-inch by 3-inch) |
| 3 | tablespoons minced chives |
Got a genius recipe to share—from a classic cookbook, an online source, or anywhere, really? Perhaps something perfect for beginners? Please send it my way (and tell me what's so smart about it) at [email protected]—thank you to Food52er Kay Smith for this one!
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Written by: Kristen Miglore
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43 Comments
Please THINK.
My comment was not meant as an insult; I am not someone who dabbles regularly in the foodie world, nor do I even watch cooking shows these days. Perhaps I should have omitted to say that I did not realize Monsieur Pépin was alive, but it was meant in excitement for the realization that he is alive and well, and was made a full year ago. I'm sorry to hear of the loss of his wife and would send my condolences if I could. I would also edit my prior comment if I couldn't, but for some reason Food52 does not allow this.
Diana
I have made this several times and it’s too good not to make my wife wants me to toss in veggies too
This recipe works with cheddar as well but gruyere is better to my taste
Let us know when you try it
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