Recipe: Seductive Chocolate Souffle (serves 2)

SEDUCTIVE CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, plus more soft for coating gratin dishes
1/4 cup sugar, plus additional for coating gratin dishes
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped fine
1 large egg, separated

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter 2 (3/4-cup) gratin dishes and coat with additional sugar, shaking out the excess.

In a small bowl, blend together 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon cold butter, flour and a pinch of salt until mixture forms into small pellets; set aside.

In a small saucepan, bring milk to a boil and whisk in flour mixture and chocolate. Cook mixture over moderate heat, whisking until thickened, about 15 seconds, and cool 30 seconds.

In a bowl, whisk yolk lightly and whisk into chocolate mixture.

In another bowl, whisk egg white with a pinch of salt until it holds soft peaks, and whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, a little at a time, until meringue holds stiff peaks. Fold in remaining meringue gently but thoroughly. Divide souffle batter between gratin dishes and put on a baking sheet.

Bake souffles in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes or until puffed. Serve immediately.

Makes 2 servings
Source: The Seduction Cookbook by Diane Brown