May 18th is National Cheese Soufflé Day #NationalCheeseSouffleDay. I don’t know about you but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Cheese Souffle which means I’ve never had a Cheese Souffle and neither has Charlie. Before you ask what about David I don’t know if he has had a Cheese Souffle or not.
If we were #Homeschooling still in Charlie’s #Homeschool Cooking Class I would have had Charlie make a Cheese Souffle for him and David. School may be ending in your area but that doesn’t mean you can’t get the kids into the kitchen to cook with you. Let them make a Cheese Souffle with you.
Then come and join us as we celebrate National Cheese Soufflé Day which should have been celebrated on May 18 to honor this savory French delight but as you can see I am behind but who cares. Food should be celebrated every day not just on the #date it was mentioned on.
On National Cheese Soufflé Day, people make and/or enjoy Cheese Soufflés, either alone or with friends and family. The word ‘Soufflé’ comes from the French word ‘souffler,’ which means ‘to puff up’ or ‘to blow up.’ Vincent La Chapelle mentioned the recipe for the first time in his book “Le Cuisinier Moderne” and it has become a popular dessert as well as a main course
A Soufflé is basically a White Sauce filled with Egg Yolk. Stiff Egg Whites are folded into the mixture. You can add whatever flavor you like at this point including Vegetables, Cheese, Chocolate, or Fruits. Create your own recipe and come back and share it with us.
The word ‘Soufflé’ comes from the French word ‘Souffler,’ which means ‘to puff up.’ Marie-Antoine Carême perfected the recipe in the mid-1800s. While cooking for the rich folk of Paris, the updated ovens he used were all heated by air drafts instead of coal and this change was key in the rise of Soufflés.
I wanted to let you know the tricky thing about Soufflés is that, after a certain point, they will collapse due to the cool air outside the oven. Souffle’s need to be served and eaten as soon as they are taken out of the oven. Just don’t burn your mouth.
Soufflés gained popularity in fine dining from the early to mid-1900s. According to the New York Public Library menu archives, Soufflés made frequent appearances in menus for special dinners with guests of honor in popular places including Waldorf Astoria, The Biltmore, and Hotel Astor. Washington D.C. was also a City that offered easy access to Soufflés.
Considered a luxury while at the same time being affordable, Soufflés are one of those delicacies that are hard to beat. FYI, Cheese Soufflé Day is not the only national day dedicated to Soufflés. Did you know there is also National Chocolate Soufflé Day which is celebrated on February 28?
How to Celebrate National Cheese Soufflé Day
- If you own a shop or restaurant, host a giveaway of Cheese Soufflés. This is a great way to celebrate the lovely dessert as well as increase your reach. Otherwise, just make your Cheese Souffle and hand it out to strangers.
- Spread the word on Social Media. Tell everyone you know about Chesses Souffle Day and ask them to make sure everyone they know knows about the Holiday and, share facts, and use the hashtag #NationalCheeseSouffleDay on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram when talking about the #Holiday and #CheeseSouffles.
- Invite your friends over and have a fun time cooking Cheese Soufflés at home and making the most of National Cheese Souffle Day.
Facts About Soufflé That You Didn’t Know
- The word ‘‘Souffle’ is a past participle of the French verb ‘souffler,’ meaning ‘to blow up’ or ‘puff up.’
- The popular 1954 movie “Sabrina” showed a master Chef criticizing Audrey Hepburn for her poor attempt at making Soufflés because she didn’t turn on the oven.
- The Guinness World Record for the largest Soufflé is for one made in the Palestinian Town of Nablus that weighed 3,891 pounds and was 243 feet long.
- The secret to a savory Soufflé is to beat the Egg Whites until they form stiff white peaks and then carefully fold them into the sauce to keep as much air in the mixture as possible.
- In order to add different kinds of delicious Sauces, bakers often puncture the top of the Soufflés.
Why People Love National Cheese Soufflé Day
Cheese is one of the most popular things to eat on Earth which is why Cheese Soufflés are even more delicious.
Cheese Soufflé is an easy-to-cook meal. All it takes is the right amount of whipping and folding Egg Whites.
Recipe for Cheese Souffle
Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 12 mins Total Time: 32 mins
Servings: 2 Yield: 2 5 1/2-ounce souffles
Ingredients
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons white sugar, or as needed
Souffles:
1 pinch salt
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
⅓ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Brush butter on the bottom and up the sides of two 5 1/2-ounce ramekins. Scoop in some sugar; rotate ramekins to coat while pouring most of the sugar back into its container. Place ramekins on a shallow baking pan.
Separate eggs between 2 bowls. Add sugar, flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, vanilla extract, lemon zest, cream cheese, and Cheddar cheese to the yolks. Mix the souffle base with a spatula until sugar and flour disappear.
Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the room-temperature egg whites. Beat with a whisk until soft peaks form; peaks should hold their shape but not be stiff or dry. Stir and fold 1/2 of the egg whites into the souffle base until combined. Gently fold the rest of the egg whites into the batter.
Fill ramekins up to the lip with the batter.
Bake in the preheated oven until puffed and browned, about 12 minutes. Serve immediately.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
