posted by Jane 04-20-100 8:20 AM
Cheese Souffle For One
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons milk or half and half
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese (preferably sharp)
1 egg, separated
Pinch of dry mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook until bubbly, about 30 seconds. Reduce heat to low, whisk in milk and stir until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in cheese, dry mustard and salt and pepper, stirring cheese is melted. Stir in egg yolk. Set aside.
In a small, very clean bowl with a clean whisk, whip egg white until soft peaks form (when you lift the whisk, the peaks will stand up, then fold over.) With a rubber spatula, fold egg white into cheese mixture, lifting under and up through batter just until combined (a few streaks of white may remain.)
Spoon into a 10-ounce oven-safe dish with straight sides. Smooth top. Then run your finger around the rim of the dish (that helps the top rise higher).
Place in preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, until top is puffy. Serve immediately. (If the top doesn't rise, don't fret: A fallen souffle is still tasty.)