Christmas Cherry Souffle

 

 

CHRISTMAS CHERRY SOUFFLÉ

(Serves 2-3)

 

Wondering what to do with that last morsel of Christmas pudding? Despite its myriad of rich flavours – Christmas pudding, ginger, cherries and brandy – this soufflé manages to taste decadent yet light.

 

Ingredients:

40 g (1 ½ oz) butter, plus extra for greasing

25 g (1 oz) cold Christmas pudding crumbled

2 tbsp brandy

25 g (1 oz) Bonne Maman Black Cherry Conserve

4 tbsp plain flour

300 ml (½ pint) whole milk

75 g (3 oz) golden caster sugar

25 g (1 oz) stem ginger, finely chopped

4 large eggs, separated

Icing sugar, to dust

 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°c (fan oven 160°c), gas mark 4. Butter an 18cm (7 inch), 1.7 litre (3 pint) soufflé dish. Put a flat baking sheet in the oven to heat up.
2. Stir together the crumbled Christmas pudding with the brandy and conserve and set aside.
3. Melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and gradually add the milk. Bring to the boil, stirring, then reduce the heat and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in 50 g (2 oz) of the sugar with the ginger, then beat in the egg yolks. Gently fold in the Christmas pudding mixture into the sauce.
4. Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks, then gradually whisk in the remaining sugar until the meringue is stiff and glossy. With a large melt spoon fold the meringue into the sauce and turn into the prepared dish.
5. Sit the dish on the heated baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes until well risen and golden. Dust with icing sugar and serve straight away.

 

Cooks Tips

– The sauce for the soufflé can be made the day before it is needed. Don’t beat in the 50 g (2 oz) caster sugar but sprinkle on top of the sauce to prevent a skin forming. When ready to cook, beat well before whisking and fold in the meringue as above.

– Buttering the dish helps the soufflé to rise up in the oven.

– Omit the ginger and add a pinch of mixed spice to the pudding mixture.

– Serve with chilled cream or vanilla ice cream if liked.

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe from: Bonne Maman – The Seasonal Cookbook (Simon & Schuster), available through Amazon, WH Smith and Waterstones @ £12.99.

 

For more delicious recipes visit the Bonne Maman website at www.bonnemaman.co.uk.