Spring

Soufflé Edged with Asparagus

May  7, 2011
0
0 Ratings
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

Inspired by a still life painting by Nicolas-Henry Jeaurat de Bertry, the asparagus, when plucked from the soufflé, acts as a vehicle to transport the spongy egg of the soufflé. —feastingonart

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 30 stalks of asparagus
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 ounce unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 4 eggs, separated
Directions
  1. Carefully wash the asparagus and trim the tips so that they stick 1-inch above the rim of the ramekin. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F.
  2. In a small pan, saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil with the salt for about 5 minutes until soft. Using a hand blender, puree the onions and slowly add the milk. Set aside.
  3. In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat and add the flour. Immediately begin whisking to form a roux and cook, stirring continuously for 2 minutes. Once the roux begins to brown, add the onion and milk mixture and stir until smooth. Increase the heat to medium-high, bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the parmesan. Once cooled slightly, add the four egg yolks and stir until very smooth. Set aside.
  4. In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites with an electric mixer set to medium-high. Beat until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes. Take a large spoonful of the egg whites and stir into the soufflé mixture. Once incorporated, lightly fold in the remaining egg whites. Pour the soufflé mixture into the 4 asparagus-lined ramekins. Place on baking try and slide into oven.
  5. Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes until the soufflé has risen. Test, insert a skewer into a crack on the side and when removed, should be clean. Serve immediately.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • fiveandspice
    fiveandspice
  • Bevi
    Bevi
  • Waverly
    Waverly
  • hardlikearmour
    hardlikearmour
  • boulangere
    boulangere

10 Reviews

dgillman May 14, 2011
What size ramekin??
 
feastingonart May 14, 2011
I used small ones about 4 inches wide and 3 inches deep.
 
judyschwab December 13, 2022
Did you cook the smaller ramekins for the full 45 minutes?
 
fiveandspice May 9, 2011
So cool! This looks like a castle ramparts!
 
Bevi May 9, 2011
This is really spectacular!
 
Waverly May 8, 2011
Gorgeous.
 
hardlikearmour May 8, 2011
This is really gorgeous!
 
boulangere May 8, 2011
Very clever idea, and so beautiful!
 
kmartinelli May 8, 2011
Just beautiful.
 
mrslarkin May 7, 2011
A spring vegetable crown! Lovely!