Cheddar Risotto Souffles
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ⅓ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup arborio or carnaroli rice
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ cup white wine
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup finely grated sharp cheddar such as Grafton Village aged cheddar, plus more for garnish
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 large eggs separated into yolks and whites
Instructions
- In a small saucepot, heat broth to boiling. Add bay leaf, cover, and reduce the heat, holding at a simmer.
- In a medium skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in rice, garlic, and thyme, and cook 1 minute. Add wine, salt, and ½ cup broth; simmer until the liquid is completely absorbed.
- Begin adding the remaining hot broth in ½-cup increments, stirring constantly until each addition is absorbed before adding the next one. (This should take 15 to 18 minutes total.) Discard the bay leaf. Test the risotto between additions until it’s done cooking (see note).
- Add cheddar and black pepper, stirring until well combined. Remove from the heat, and set aside to cool slightly. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 375°F, and butter four 4-ounce individual custard cups or soufflé dishes. Place a rimmed baking sheet on the top rack of the oven, and fill with enough hot water to just cover the entire surface, creating a shallow water bath.
- Stir egg yolks into the warm risotto mixture. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold the whites into the risotto just until blended. Divide the mixture among the soufflé dishes, filling each to the top. Carefully set the soufflés in the water bath, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until puffed and golden. Sprinkle each soufflé with grated cheddar and serve promptly.
Notes
Elaine Khosrova
Elaine Khorova is the original Editor-in-Chief of culture magazine and the current recipe writer extraordinaire. She resides in the Hudson Valley of New York where she is working on a book about the history of butter.
Photographer Mark Ferri
Mark Ferri is a graduate of Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, Calif. He believes in a simple, direct approach that captures the natural beauty and appetite appeal of food. Mark celebrates a life-long passion for food by frequently exploring new restaurants in New York and in Europe, and loves to cook and entertain at his home in the Hudson Valley. Learn more about Mark on his website: http://www.markferriphoto.com/
Stylist Leslie Orlandini
Leslie Orlandini is a chef and an accomplished food stylist in print and television. She has been nominated for both James Beard and Emmy awards and is a veteran of thousands of cooking shows and segments. You can learn more about her through her website: http://leslieorlandini.com/
