Saturday, October 21, 2006

It Rises.....and Falls

Something has been ringing in my mind for the past two weeks or so. It's French, it's fluffy, it's light, and....it's a dessert! It has been appearing in the forums I visit, and the food blogs I frequent, which is why I can't seem to get it out of my my mind. The only way out? Get in the kitchen and make it!


A soufflé(pronounced as soo-flay) is a dish which can be baked either into sweet dessert, or prepared as a savoury dish, depending on the 'base' chosen. Soufflé literally means 'puffed up', and this results from stiffly whipped egg whites which are folded in the base. During baking, the air incorporated by the egg whites expands, helping the soufflé to rise, and providing a feather light interior. Soufflés are usually served hot from the oven, because though it bakes very high, it also falls very quickly.

I chose this recipe from Food Network, because it does not seem too complicated, and the reviews are good too. Since I didn't have have Grand Marnier, I used expresso instead. I love pairing chocolate and coffee, they seemed to be very good partners in my chocolate cakes and frosting, and it didn't disappoint this time either.

I find it difficult to describe this dessert. It's rich (from the chocolate) but not overwhelming, sweet but not cloying. The top crust is crisp, yet the interior is so light. Looking at the picture above, it make look like a pudding, but actually it's very very 'cloud-like'. It's a great way to end off the meal.

20 comments:

Gracio said...

waaa, this looks gooooooodddd! Think i'll try once i manage to get cheap ramekins here. :)

Yummy! I wan some...

D said...

I love souffles! The last one I had was the giant one at Morton's but I could do with some right now. I like the fruit versions as well, had a passionfruit souffle once which was sooo.... delish!

Anonymous said...

Wow...as in really wow! By the look of it, I'm pretty sure it's delicious.

Anonymous said...

Wow! as in really wow! By the look of it, I'm pretty sure it's delicious.

Edith said...

Grace me too, I will definitely try once I get those ramskin dishes at a cheaper price. It is sooooo expensive here.

Gattina Cheung said...

Angie,
you are my kind of gal, chocolate + coffee, it's the way to go! I know what you mean cloud-like...and your souffle really looks very pro!

Unknown said...

Grace, yeah, do give it a shot ya :)

Hey D, fruit soufflés sound good too!

Anne, thanks!

Edith, waiting for your ramekins from Australia huh? ;p

Gattina, ya boy, these two pairs so well together. And big thanks for your kind words too :)

And to the uncouth person, who commented at 12:49am, I do have a life, and a meaningful one at that, thank you very much. Wonder if you want to consider getting a life too, instead of going around leaving vulgar comments for others? And if you like to visit so often, you're very welcome, and thanks for generating traffic to my blog.

Gattina Cheung said...

ann_coxiella,
it's normal being jealous... I also envious of Angie's knowledge in baking and being such a loving person... but swearing with vulgar words is NO!

Gracio said...

Gosh angie! That person is so rude!! Don't put 2 heart what this kind of people say to u,know that they don't live in ur life anyway, so dun let their lousy words affect u. Continue to have the courage to blog ya? U've all my support! HUgz! :)

Edith said...

ann_coxiella, obviously you ran out of names to call yourself. vulgarity only degrades yourself and no one else.

Unknown said...

Gattina, Grace, Edith,

Thanks for your continuous support. Having your encouragement is what keeps me and my blog going.

Anonymous said...

I love this cake... so moist inside and hard outside... it is really good!
Ciao.

Sammy said...

Heyo angie! Nice souffle you've got there! I've tried it once at The French Cafe before but it's too spongy for me :(

btw, don't bother about those kinda pple and don't let their comments get to you.

Unknown said...

Orchidea, thanks!

YD, I saw the pic from your post, which is why the image keeps appearing in my mind, plus I had always wanted to try making this. Spongy? Mine's not leh, I find it more like a very light mousse that's served hot.

And thanks for your encouragement :)

Sammy said...

Hey don't mention it :)

The souffle I had was erm, slighty tough spongy at the top and sort of wet mousse at the bottom? Thats all i can recall haha.

Anonymous said...

Hi angie
Wow, what an amazing photo...
I’m really tend to go out, get all my stuff and make soufflés right away - yum!! =)
And what incredible brainless people are there in this world - I can only laugh at her stupidity...

Brilynn said...

I've had an urge to make one of these too! It may happen yet...

Unknown said...

YD, actually this is my first time eating soufflés too, so not sure what's the texture supposed to be. Must as DancingBlueSeal, since he loves them :)

Julia, thanks for your kind words and encouragement :)

Brilynn, I bet you can whip it up quickly :p

lux said...

Hi,

I thought I share this but you can get ramekin at probably $1 plus at sia huat in chinatown.

Hope everyone bake good souffle!

Unknown said...

Lux, thanks for the very useful information, you've been a great help!