Classic Cheese Soufflè

 

1/4

cup butter or margarine

1/4

cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1/2

teaspoon salt

1/4

teaspoon ground mustard

Dash of ground red pepper (cayenne)

1

cup milk

1

cup Cheddar cheese (4 ounces)

3

eggs, separated

1/4

teaspoon cream of tartar

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Butter 1-quart soufflé dish or casserole. Make a 4-inch band of triple-thickness aluminum foil 2 inches longer than circumference of dish. Butter one side. Secure foil band, buttered side in, around top edge of dish.
• 2 Melt butter in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt, mustard and red pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese until melted; remove from heat.
• 3 Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff but not dry; set aside. Beat egg yolks in small bowl on high speed about 3 minutes or until very thick and lemon colored; stir into cheese mixture. Stir about 1/4 of the egg whites into cheese mixture. Fold cheese mixture into remaining egg whites. Carefully pour into soufflé dish.
• 4 Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean. Carefully remove foil band and quickly divide soufflé into sections with 2 forks. Serve immediately.