Espresso Cardamom Souffle Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and remove the top oven rack. Prepare 6 (8-ounce) coffee cups or ramekins with straight sides (or a 2-quart souffle dish) by greasing with butter and coating with granulated sugar, pour out any excess. The butter and sugar will keep the souffles from sticking to the sides, which will allow them to rise evenly. The sugar will also give the souffle a crunchy crust, which is a great contrast to the soft interior.
• To make the pastry cream base for the souffle: Combine the milk and vanilla bean and seeds in a heavy large pot and place over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a brief simmer, until bubbles form around the edge of the pot; do not boil. Remove from heat and discard the vanilla bean. The vanilla bean can be rinsed and dried and kept for another use.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, flour, and 1/4 cup of sugar until slightly thickened and lemon-colored. Temper the yolks by gradually whisking in about half of the hot milk mixture (do not add too quickly or the eggs will cook.) Return the pastry cream back to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it is nice and thick, enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Slowly melt the chocolate with the Frangelico in a double boiler over hot water or in a microwave set on high for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through the heating time to smooth it out. Stir the melted chocolate mixture into the pastry cream; cool to room temperature.
• In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites and salt just until they hold soft peaks. Using a rubber spatula, fold 1/3 of the beaten whites into the chocolate pastry cream to lighten it, then gently fold in the rest. Spoon the batter into the prepared coffee cups, 2/3 of the way full, and shake them gently to smooth out the top. Place the coffee cups on a cookie sheet and bake on the middle rack for about 20 minutes. The souffle is done when it has puffed over the rim, the outside is golden and the center is still a bit loose and creamy; take care not to over bake. To serve, have each guest crack open the top of the souffle with a spoon and pour in the Espresso Crème Anglaise. Dust the top with confectioners' sugar.
• Pour the heavy cream and vanilla bean and seeds into a saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a brief simmer, until bubbles form around the edge of the pot; do not boil. Remove from heat. Discard the vanilla bean. The vanilla bean can be rinsed and dried and kept for another use.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, coffee, and espresso powder, until well blended. Temper the yolks by gradually whisking in the hot cream mixture (do not add too quickly or the eggs will cook.) Return the custard back to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately with Chocolate Souffle. (If not serving immediately, press plastic wrap on the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate.)

Steps:

• Line 2 espresso cups or 2 small ramekins with softened butter followed by cocoa powder. Ensure all sides are coated with the cocoa as this will stabilise the sides of the soufflé when it rises.
• In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and melted chocolate until fully combined and smooth.
• Stir in the espresso powder, followed by the water.
• Stir in the egg yolk.
• Add in icing sugar. Stir until combined and smooth.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the egg white until soft peaks form.
• Gradually add the caster sugar and whisk until stiff peaks form and they become glossy.
• Fold 2 tablespoons of the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture and fold until fully incorporated. Gradually fold in the remaining whipped egg whites. Be careful not to over stir, as this will knock the air out, which will stop the soufflé from rising to its full potential!
• Quickly pour the mixture into the prepared espresso cups or ramekins.
• Using a knife, carefully pull across the top of each soufflé so that the top is completely flat.
• Neaten the edges of the cups by running your thumb around the rim of the cup. This will help the soufflé to rise straight.
• Chill the soufflés in the fridge for 30 minutes (optional) and then preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
• Bake for 15 minutes.
• Dust with a little cocoa powder and serve immediately.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Place chocolate and butter in medium bowl. Whisk 1/4 cup sugar, flour, and cocoa powder in small bowl. Bring milk and vanilla to boil in heavy small saucepan. Gradually whisk hot milk mixture into sugar mixture to blend. Return mixture to same saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until thick paste forms, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Scrape mixture into bowl with chocolate and butter; stir until chocolate is melted (mixture may look curdled). Add egg yolks and whisk until mixture looks shiny and creamy. (Soufflé base can be prepared 1 day ahead. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface and refrigerate. Bring soufflé base to room temperature before continuing.)
• Butter eight 3/4-cup soufflé dishes or custard cups; dust with sugar. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites until frothy. With mixer running, gradually add 3 tablespoons sugar, then salt; beat just until soft peaks form. Fold 1/3 of whites into soufflé base until well combined. Gently fold in remaining egg whites just to blend (some white streaks may remain). Divide batter among prepared dishes. Place dishes on rimmed baking sheet. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake soufflés until puffed above rim of dish, tops are flat, and edges are set, about 12 minutes. Serve immediately with Cardamom Crème Anglaise.

Steps:

• Mix the espresso with the ground cardamom and 2 tablespoons of the sugar. When the sugar has dissolved, strain the mixture through a fine seive and set it aside to cool to room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush four 8-ounce ceramic ramekins with half the melted butter and dust them with 2 tablespoons of the sugar.
• Beat the egg yolks with 1/3 cup of the sugar in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until they lighten and thicken. Remove from heat, transfer to a large bowl and continue beating until cooled to room temperature, 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Beat the remaining melted butter into the espresso mixture. Divide this mixture among the 4 ramekins.
• Beat the egg whites with the remaining sugar until stiff but not dry. Fold this mixture into the egg yolk mixture and divide it among the 4 ramekins.
• Place the souffles in the oven and bake 6 minutes, until the tops are golden and firm to the touch. Remove from the oven, dust with confectioners' sugar and coffee, and serve.

Steps:

• For souffles: Cut four 14x6-inch foil strips. Fold each in half lengthwise. Wrap 1 foil strip around each of four 3/4-cup soufflé dishes, forming collars that extend from base to above rim. Fold and crimp ends to secure.
• Combine chopped plums and 1/4 cup sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until mixture turns bright red and is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Transfer mixture to processor; puree until smooth. Cover; chill until cold.
• Whisk yolks, corn syrup, butter and 1/4 cup sugar in medium metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water); whisk constantly until candy thermometer registers 170°F, about 5 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Mix in cardamom. Using electric mixer, beat egg mixture until cool and thick, about 5 minutes.
• Beat cream, vanilla and 1/4 cup sugar in large bowl until stiff peaks form. Add plum puree to cream; fold together. Fold in egg mixture. Spoon mixture into soufflé dishes, dividing equally (mixture will extend above rim of dishes). Cover with plastic; freeze overnight or up to 1 week.
• For sauce: Combine chopped plums and sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until mixture turns bright red and is reduced to 1 1/3 cups, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Mix in 6 tablespoons water and cardamom. Transfer to processor and puree. Transfer sauce to bowl. Cover; chill until cold, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Carefully remove foil from soufflés. Drizzle some sauce over each. Top with plum slices. Serve with remaining sauce.