A soufflé to start always gives your dinner party a ‘wow’ factor and this make-ahead recipe gives you more time to be the perfect host
Prep:30 mins
Serves 8
140g small button mushroom, sliced50g butter, plus extra for greasing25g plain flour325ml milk85g gruyère, finely grated, plus a little extra 3 large eggs, separated8 tsp crème fraîchesnipped chive, to serve
STEP 1Fry the mushrooms in the butter for about 3 mins, then remove from the heat and reserve a good spoonful. Add the flour to the rest, then blend in the milk and return to the heat, stirring all the time to make a thick sauce. Stir in the cheese, season to taste, then leave to cool.STEP 2Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Butter 8 x 150ml soufflé dishes and line the bases with baking paper. Stir the egg yolks into the soufflé mixture, then whisk the egg whites until stiff before folding in carefully. Spoon into the soufflé dishes and bake in a roasting tin, half-filled with cold water, for 15 mins until risen and golden. Leave to cool (they will sink, but they are meant to). You can make the soufflés up to this stage up to 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.STEP 3When ready to serve, turn the soufflés out of their dishes, peel off the lining paper, then put them on a baking sheet lined with small squares of baking paper. Top each soufflé with 1 tsp crème fraîche and a little cheese, then scatter with the reserved mushrooms. Bake at 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 for 10-15 mins until slightly risen and warmed through. Sprinkle with chives and serve.
