- 4 tablespoons (56.7 g) unsalted butter, plus softened butter for brushing
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 12 ounces (156 g) shiitake mushrooms, diced and sautéed in butter with 1 teaspoon chopped thyme
- 6 large eggs, separated
- 8 ounces (235 g) chèvre
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Step 1 (45 min) Preheat the oven to 375° (190c) and brush seven 1-cup ramekins with butter. Lightly coat the ramekins with 2 tablespoons of the Parmigiano-Reggiano and set them on a sturdy baking sheet.
Step 2 In a medium saucepan, melt the 4 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook over moderate heat for 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and cook over moderately low heat until smooth and very thick, about 2 minutes. Stir in the salt and cayenne. Off the heat, whisk in the egg yolks. Let cool slightly. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the chèvre and mushrooms.
Step 3 In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar at medium-high speed until frothy. Increase the speed to high and beat until firm peaks form. With a rubber spatula, fold the egg whites into the soufflé base until no streaks of white remain.
Step 4 Spoon the soufflé mixture into the ramekins, filling them to 1/2-inch below the rim. Run your thumb inside the rim of each ramekin to help the soufflés rise evenly. Sprinkle the remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano on top and bake in the bottom third of the oven until the soufflés are puffed and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Alternatively, bake in a 7-cup soufflé at 375° for 45 minutes. Serve immediately.