Montgomery Cheddar and tarragon soufflés
Light, lofty and deeply savoury, these individual soufflés make a little theatre out of a handful of brilliant ingredients. Nutty Montgomery Cheddar and fragrant tarragon fold through a rich Burford Brown yolk base, while whisked whites give that irresistible cloud-like rise. Serve straight from the oven with sharply dressed leaves and eat while they’re proudly puffed.
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C. Brush 4 straight-sided ramekins with the melted butter, then coat with the Parmesan, shaking out any excess. Place on a baking tray.
- Bring the milk just to the boil, add the bay leaf and set aside to infuse.
- Melt the 50g butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually pour in the warm milk, stirring continuously, until smooth and very thick. Simmer gently for 3 minutes, stirring from time to time.
- Remove from the heat and discard the bay leaf. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then stir in the Dijon mustard and tarragon. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, then add the Montgomery Cheddar and stir until melted and combined.
- Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks. Using a large metal spoon, gently fold them into the cheese mixture until just combined. Spoon into the prepared ramekins and level the tops.
- Bake for 25 minutes until risen and puffed. Serve immediately with dressed salad leaves.
Ingredients
3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, for greasing
30g Parmesan, finely grated
350ml whole milk
1 bay leaf
50g unsalted butter
50g plain flour
5 Burford Brown eggs, separated
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
3 tbsp tarragon leaves
100g Montgomery Cheddar, finely grated
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Dressed salad leaves, to serve