I have been wanting to try making a souffle for a while now. They have seemed a bit intimidating and I had been holding off but when I saw this recipe for an asparagus souffle I just had to try it. I had a lot of fresh local asparagus and this sounded like a perfect way to enjoy some of it. I cut the recipe back a bit as I only had 4 ramekins. I was not sure if playing with the ingredient ratios was a good idea given that souffles are supposed to be a bit challenging to make. This souffle is basically a puree of asparagus mixed into a bechamel sauce that is then folded into some beaten egg whites. I have made bechamel and beaten egg whites several times so the souffle actually came together fairly easily. The ramekins that contain the souffle are in hot water while cooking and this is called a bain marie. I was pleased to see that the souffles puffed up nicely while cooking and I pulled out my camera right away. The souffle deflated quite quickly as I was taking pictures. Souffles are even harder to photograph that melting ice cream! The asparagus souffles were super light and fluffy and moist and good! They did not end up with the dark green colour that I was hoping for but they were really tasty. I think that the next time I make them I will use more asparagus. I really enjoyed the souffle and I now look forward to experimenting with different flavours, both savoury and sweet.
Asparagus Souffle
ingredients
- 4 ramekins
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 cup asparagus (cut into one inch pieces)
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 shallot (chopped)
- 1 clove garlic (chopped)
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 egg yolks (lightly beaten)
- 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano or gruyere cheese (grated)
- 2 egg whites
directions
- Butter and coat the ramekins with the bread crumbs.
- Boil the asparagus until just tender.
- Run the asparagus under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Melt the butter in a pan.
- Add the shallot and saute until just tender, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and thyme and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Puree the asparagus, and shallots in a food processor.
- Melt the butter in a small sauce pan.
- Add the flour and stir to mix.
- Add the milk, egg yolks, nutmeg, mustard, salt and pepper and whisk until it thickens.
- Add the cheese and mix it in as it melts and remove from the heat.
- Mix the cheese mixture and asparagus mixture together.
- Beat the egg whites in a bowl until just stiff.
- Fold the egg whites into the cheese and asparagus mixture.
- Pour the batter into the ramekins, place the ramekins into a baking dish and fill the baking dish with hot water up to half the height of the ramekins.
- Bake in a preheated 400F/200C for 10 minutes, reduce the heat to 350F/180C and bake for another 15 minutes.
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Gloria says
May 30, 2008 at 12:20 amKevin I love Asparagus, are delicious! and you, is the first time you make this??? amazing!!
This is really lovely and yummy!!!Gloria
VeggieGirl says
May 30, 2008 at 12:34 amI’m DEFINITELY intimidated by the idea of making a souffle; but wow, you make it look so easy!! It looks FANTASTIC!!
Tara says
May 30, 2008 at 1:19 amOh man, this sounds (and looks!) so good… I love asparagus and I have yet to attempt a souffle. I’ll bet the texture is amazing. Very nice!
Dani Spies says
May 30, 2008 at 1:43 amBig fan of the addition of nutmeg…yum!! Kevin…do you ever stop cooking;)?
Vicarious Foodie says
May 30, 2008 at 2:09 amCongratulations on your souffle success! I’ve never made one myself–I know I’d mess it up.
Marc @ NoRecipes says
May 30, 2008 at 2:28 amYumm, looks great Kevin. I know what you mean about being hard to capture on film (err.. compactflash). Nice job!
Ginny says
May 30, 2008 at 3:01 amYummy! I love making souffles…taught my boyfriend just last night! We made goat cheese herbs ones 🙂
Diana Evans says
May 30, 2008 at 3:18 amthis looks very yummy…I have some fresh asparagus from the garden….if only you could make me one of those with it…lol
Nina's Kitchen (Nina Timm) says
May 30, 2008 at 3:39 amKevin, as if you have ever stepped back from a challenge…..these souffles look delicious.
Heather says
May 30, 2008 at 5:43 amDude, do you have a day job? Beautiful souffle. You’re a real trip, you know that?
Charlotte at Great Big Veg Challenge says
May 30, 2008 at 6:07 amKevin – As I was reading this I thought – I hope you have submitted this to in the bag.
Its a great recipe and looks delicious.
Have printed off the recipe to try out!
Hope you are well..
Bellini Valli says
May 30, 2008 at 6:27 amPlenty of delightful flavours in this souffle. They are hard to photograph aren’t they:D
yen says
May 30, 2008 at 7:29 amThat sounds awesome! I’m always looking for new ways to use asparagus – thanks!
jasmine.celion says
May 30, 2008 at 7:34 amthat texture is amazing it is s onice
jasmine celion
cool-hotstuff.blogspot.com
sher says
May 30, 2008 at 8:28 amI haven’t made a souffle in a long time. And now I think I’ll correct that, since seeing that delicious picture.
Lori says
May 30, 2008 at 10:00 amGreat job on the souffle…and on getting the nice picture! Sounds like a good way to get some vegetables in. 🙂
giz says
May 30, 2008 at 10:11 amperfect size in a ramekin. The souffle looks lite as it should be and would be really flavourful with the asparagus.
Pam says
May 30, 2008 at 11:24 amI’ve never tried making a souffle. Too scary.
LyB says
May 30, 2008 at 12:38 pm“Harder to photograph than melting ice cream”, that made me laugh! What blogging does to us! Your soufflé looks delicious Kevin, I just love asparagus.
nicisme says
May 30, 2008 at 1:15 pmOh what a beauty! I had to laugh as I imagined you with your camera in position as it came out of the oven!
Well done, I’m suitably impressed!
Anonymous says
May 30, 2008 at 1:28 pmI always wanted to try, but i’m intimidated by the idea of making a souffle. =X i bet i will most certainly messed it up! congrats on your success kevin! 🙂
Amanda
StickyGooeyCreamyChewy says
May 30, 2008 at 2:26 pmMy hat’s off to you, Kevin. A souffle is an ambitious undertaking and you did it beautifully. Great Job!
Lisa says
May 30, 2008 at 3:17 pmI could eat this anytime of day. A perfect use of asparagus Kevin. You never fail to please.
Daziano says
May 30, 2008 at 3:21 pmYes, souffle is so intimidating!!! I have never tried to make one of my own.. I’m sure I’d burn it! Sei bravo Kevin!
diva says
May 30, 2008 at 5:04 pmi agree. souffles are intimidating but they sure are yummy!
kimberleyblue says
May 30, 2008 at 5:10 pmThose are a lot of instructions!
But the final result looks so worth it. Mmm!
Lina says
May 30, 2008 at 5:56 pmim too scared to try making souffles. asparagus souffle sounds great! wow!
Mansi Desai says
May 30, 2008 at 6:19 pmthe souffle looks great Kevin! even i was skeptical about trying it the first time, but its not as hard as the buzz that surrounds it:)
nice way to use asparagus:)
gaga says
May 30, 2008 at 7:26 pmWow! I’m impressed that you even attempted a souffle. And on top of that, it’s gorgeous! *clap* *clap* *clap*
Sylvia says
May 30, 2008 at 8:14 pmWow Kevin , looks great. I made one in September , I guess, and I love the taste.
Congrats , looks delicious
christie says
May 31, 2008 at 12:09 amImpressive…really impressive!
Proud Italian Cook says
May 31, 2008 at 4:41 amWonderful job Kevin, it looks golden, fluffy and savory!
Elle says
May 31, 2008 at 3:31 pmI’m so nervous about making souffle, but I’ve always wanted to try! These look delicious, Kevin!
Anonymous says
May 31, 2008 at 6:45 pmI’ve never made a souffle. This sounds really great though… the idea of using asparagus. Your directions are very direct and clear. They will definitely be useful if I ever get around to trying a souffle of my own.
Deborah says
June 1, 2008 at 3:24 pmI have always wondered how difficult it would be to photograph a souffle! This sounds so delicious, though – and I’ve been seeing some great asparagus lately!
RecipeGirl says
June 1, 2008 at 4:37 pmlol… I’ve had a tough time photographing souffles before too. It’s almost better to photograph them while they’re still inside the oven!
Rosie says
June 2, 2008 at 6:33 pmAsparagus Souffle oh my Kevin this has to be food for the gods – looks wonderful as always 🙂
Rosie x
kristina says
June 2, 2008 at 7:29 pmAsparagus finds it’s way into my cart every trip to the grocery store. Thanks for this and the asparagus mushroom quiche recipe!
We Are Never Full says
June 2, 2008 at 7:47 pmthis may be one of the best things you’ve made on this blog (to me only b/c i love both souffle and asparagus! beautiful job.
maybelles parents says
June 2, 2008 at 11:22 pmgorgeous. I made aspargus souffle too for In the Bag, but I like yours better.
*M* says
June 3, 2008 at 3:14 amThis is absolutely WONDERFUL! At first I was unsure if it was done because the souffles turned out pale green and not brown at the top. My friends loved them and I would definitely make them again.
A note: the process is very convoluted. Make sure you read all directions and keep an eye on all pots–especially if you are cooking an entire meal.
eatme_delicious says
June 3, 2008 at 5:37 amYum another delicious looking thing on your blog! I’ve never had a souffle before.
Jaime says
June 30, 2008 at 3:57 amyour souffle is beautifully puffed up! well done! i have yet to try my hand at souffles
andrea says
April 4, 2019 at 10:41 pmI made a version with chopped asparagus and sauted mushrooms – also very good.