Blue Cheese And Walnut Souffles And Mesclun With Red Pepper Vinaigrette Recipes

BLUE CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Butter the inside of an 8-cup souffle dish (7 1/2 inches in diameter and 3 1/4 inches deep) and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. With a wooden spoon, stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Off the heat, whisk in the hot milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, the cayenne, and nutmeg. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, for 1 minute, until smooth and thick.
• Off the heat, while still hot, whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time. Stir in the Roquefort and the 1/4 cup of Parmesan and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Put the egg whites, cream of tartar, and a pinch of salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on low speed for 1 minute, on medium speed for 1 minute, then finally on high speed until they form firm, glossy peaks.
• Whisk 1/4 of the egg whites into the cheese sauce to lighten and then fold in the rest. Pour into the souffle dish, then smooth the top. Draw a large circle on top with the spatula to help the souffle rise evenly, and place in the middle of the oven. Turn the temperature down to 375 degrees F. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes (don't peek!) until puffed and brown. Serve immediately.

BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUT SOUFFLES AND MESCLUN WITH RED PEPPER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Make soufflés:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. and generously butter six 1/2-cup soufflé dishes or custard cups.
• In a small bowl stir together walnuts and 1/2 tablespoon flour. Coat soufflé dishes or custard cups with walnut mixture, knocking out excess.
• In a small heavy saucepan melt butter over moderately low heat and whisk in remaining 3 1/2 tablespoons flour. Cook roux, whisking constantly, 3 minutes and add milk in a stream, whisking. Bring mixture to a boil over moderate heat, whisking, and cook until thickened, about 30 seconds.
• Remove pan from heat and transfer mixture to a bowl. Cool mixture slightly. Whisk cheese, yolks, black pepper, and salt to taste into milk mixture until cheese is melted.
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat whites until they just hold stiff peaks. Stir one third of whites into cheese mixture to lighten and fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly.
• Divide soufflé mixture among prepared soufflé dishes or cups and put in a large baking pan just large enough to hold them. Add enough hot water to pan to reach halfway up sides of soufflés dishes or cups and bake soufflés in middle of oven until puffed and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Remove pan from oven and let soufflé dishes or cups stand in pan 15 minutes. (Soufflés will fall.)
• Lightly butter a baking sheet.
• Remove soufflé dishes or cups from pan and run a knife around edge of each dish or cup, carefully lifting edge of each soufflé slightly to help release it from bottom. Invert soufflé onto hand and carefully put, top side up, onto prepared baking sheet. Soufflés may be prepared up to this point 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.
• Increase temperature to 425°F.
• Bake soufflés in middle of oven until puffed slightly and heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Make vinaigrette while soufflés are baking.
• In a bowl toss mesclun with vinaigrette and divide among 6 salad plates. Arrange soufflés among 6 salad plates. Arrange soufflés along side of mesclun and garnish with bell peppers and flowers.

GREEN SALAD WITH DRIED FIGS, BLUE CHEESE, WALNUTS, AND SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place the salad greens, figs, walnuts, and dressing in a bowl and toss. Divide among plates and crumble the blue cheese on top of each salad.
• Sherry Vinaigrette
• Whisk together the shallot, vinegar, preserves, capers, and mustard in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified. Taste for balance, and add a little more olive oil, if you like. Season with salt and pepper.

BLUE CHEESE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, and sugar.
• Slowly add extra-virgin olive oil, whisking until emulsified. Or shake the ingredients in a jar, or whirl them in a blender. Add crumbled blue cheese.