Chef’s Table

Method

• Pre-heat the oven to 180°C, grease the moulds with softened butter. Add a teaspoon of grated Parmesan and shake around the mould ensuring all the butter is coated with the Parmesan and tap out any excess cheese. Pop the moulds into the fridge whilst preparing the soufflé mixture.
• Gently warm the milk with the shallot, bay leaves and nutmeg. Once heated (not boiled) pass the mixture through a sieve into a jug. Melt the butter in a pan on a low heat, add the flour and mix to a smooth paste. Add the milk in stages, roughly 100ml at a time, and stir into the paste, ensuring the paste is lump free and simmering before adding any more. Once all the milk is added, take off the heat and stir in the Parmesan ensuring all the cheese is melted and allow this mixture to cool. Season the mixture now with salt and pepper and transfer into a large bowl.
• Once cool, add the egg yolks and stir into the mixture. Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks and lightly fold the whites into the mixture. Take the lined moulds from the fridge and fill the moulds evenly leaving a 0.5cm gap to the top of the mould.
• Using an oven tray with tall sides, pour 500ml of boiling water into the tray and place the moulds on top; bake for 40 mins.
• Once the tops of the soufflés are golden brown and well-risen, take them out of the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes - they will sink back into the moulds but don’t panic! Lift the mould, tap the base to loosen and turn upside down onto a square of baking parchment. Repeat with all soufflés and place in the fridge.
• For the sauce, slice the shallots and garlic, thyme leaves and chopped rosemary and sweat off in a pan. Add the wine and cook down, add the cream and reduce by a third. Season and finish with the chopped chives and truffle oil when ready to serve.