Poof! Flour’s Gone
Being an amateur cook, I always enjoy the Food section and often cut out recipes to keep and use. Being Chinese, I read the Jan. 28 Food section (“Chinese Lessons”) with more than the usual amount of enthusiasm. Then I read Home Cook (“Puffed Up Again”) on souffles.
Back in the days when Ma Cuisine was the only cooking school around, I learned to make a chocolate souffle from Ken Frank, in the heyday of La Toque. I have not come across a chocolate souffle anywhere in the world to surpass his recipe. Not only is it the best souffle I have ever had (and I have friends who will attest to this), it is also quick, easy and foolproof.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. March 18, 1998 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday March 18, 1998 Home Edition Food Part H Page 2 Food Desk 2 inches; 40 words Type of Material: Correction
In a recipe from a reader for Ken Frank’s Chocolate Souffle (“Poof! Flour’s Gone,” Letters, March 11), the step combining the chocolate and the egg whites was omitted. After whipping the egg whites, fold in the cooled chocolate mixture before pouring into individual 6-ounce ramekins.
Please try it and see how it compares with Marion Cunningham’s. With all due respect to Cunningham, I belong to a school that doesn’t believe flour has any usefulness in a chocolate souffle.
KEN FRANK’S CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE
5 ounces chocolate
3 1/2 tablespoons freshly brewed espresso
3 egg yolks
4 egg whites
Melted butter
Granulated sugar
1 heaping tablespoon powdered sugar
Use any good finishing chocolate; we used Callebaut.
Melt chocolate in bain marie or in top of double boiler. Add espresso, then egg yolks to melted chocolate and whisk until blended.
Whip egg whites, gradually adding powdered sugar, until soft peaks form. Do not over-beat.
Pour into 4 individual ramekins brushed with melted butter and coated with granulated sugar (leave no uncovered spots or souffle will stick and not rise). Bake at 400 degrees 8 to 10 minutes. Souffle will rise straight up at least 1 inch from lip of ramekins. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve immediately with whipped cream.
Enjoy!!
KATHERINE SUNG
Beverly Hills