Kamil Perry
A cheese soufflé is a simple yet impressive dish to serve at a dinner party. It is a white sauce made with eggs, first enriched with the yolk, and then made fluffy with beaten egg whites. The perfect cheese soufflé should be light and airy, with a salty, savoury tang. It is best served immediately, with a simple green salad, steamed green beans, wilted greens, or another vegetable. If you want to add protein, you could serve it with chicken, bacon, or salumi (such as prosciutto or salami). A cheese platter with dried fruits, pickles, olives, and pretzels can also be a good accompaniment. To drink, a glass of white wine, champagne, or a mimosa if it's brunch time, will impress your guests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salad | Green salad, romaine hearts, mixed baby greens, arugula, steamed green beans, wilted greens |
| Meat | Salumi, prosciutto, salami, bacon, chicken |
| Bread | French bread |
| Soup | Keep it simple |
| Wine | Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, dry rosé, champagne, mimosas, pinot noir, Beaujolais |
| Other | Roasted vegetables, fresh thyme, walnut, pomegranate seeds |
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What You'll Learn
Salads: green, peppery, or with fruit
Salads are a great side dish to serve with a cheese souffle, especially green, peppery, or fruity salads. A simple green salad with romaine hearts or mixed baby greens is a perfect complement to the rich cheese souffle. If you want to add some peppery notes to your salad, arugula is a great choice. To enhance the flavour of the cheese souffle, you can also add some aromatic herbs like chives, tarragon, or chervil to the salad.
When it comes to fruit, red-skinned apples cut into matchsticks and tossed with lemon juice to prevent browning can be a great addition to the salad. You can also include other fruits like pomegranate seeds, creating a tangy contrast to the savoury souffle.
To dress your salad, a tangy vinaigrette made with balsamic vinegar and olive or walnut oil is an excellent choice. This type of dressing will enhance the flavours of the salad ingredients while also providing a pleasant contrast to the creamy souffle.
In terms of presentation, you can place the individual souffles in the centre of each plate and then scatter the salad leaves, apple matchsticks, and any other salad ingredients around it. This way, the souffle takes centre stage while still being complemented by the fresh, crunchy salad.
Overall, by choosing a green, peppery, or fruity salad, you can create a well-balanced meal that showcases the cheese souffle as the star of the show while adding a refreshing and tasty contrast.
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Roasted vegetables
To make roasted vegetables, start by cutting up your chosen vegetables into evenly sized pieces. This ensures that they cook evenly and have similar cooking times. You can use a single type of vegetable or a combination of vegetables, depending on your preference and what is in season.
Next, toss the vegetables with olive oil and seasonings. A simple combination of salt, pepper, and dried basil is classic and delicious, but you can also experiment with other herbs and spices to suit your taste. Place the vegetables on a baking pan, leaving some space between them to ensure even cooking.
Bake the vegetables in a preheated oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them, especially towards the end of the cooking time, as you may want to adjust the timing slightly depending on how tender you like your vegetables. If you prefer your roasted vegetables with browned edges, you can turn on the broiler for the last 1-3 minutes of cooking, watching closely until they reach the desired level of browning.
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Meat: chicken, bacon, or charcuterie
When it comes to serving a cheese souffle with meat, chicken, bacon, or charcuterie, there are several delicious options to consider.
If you're opting for chicken, braised chicken thighs can be a wonderful pairing with a cheese souffle. Chicken complements the cheesy goodness of the souffle, and braising ensures the chicken is tender and juicy. Alternatively, you could consider a bacon-wrapped chicken breast. This option combines two types of meat in one dish, creating a savoury sensation. Just be mindful of the different oven temperatures and cooking times required for the souffle and bacon-wrapped chicken.
Charcuterie, which refers to the preparation of cured meats, can also be an excellent accompaniment to a cheese souffle. Create a charcuterie board with an assortment of meats such as prosciutto, ham, salami, chorizo, or summer sausage. Include some cheeses, crackers, nuts, dried fruits, and perhaps some pretzels or craisins to create a delightful contrast of flavours and textures. Charcuterie boards are versatile and can be tailored to your taste, making them a fun and interactive way to enjoy your cheese souffle.
Meat, such as chicken, bacon, or charcuterie, can provide a savoury and satisfying contrast to the creamy richness of a cheese souffle. Experiment with different combinations and find your favourite pairings to elevate your culinary experience!
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Wine: white, rosé, or light red
When serving wine with a cheese soufflé, it is generally recommended to stick to white, rosé, or light red wines. While a cheese soufflé is an impressive dish to serve, it is also quite easy to make. The light and airy texture and rich flavour of a cheese soufflé go well with the crunch and acidity of a salad, and it is best to keep the wine selection in line with this light and airy theme.
When it comes to white wine, most varieties will complement the cheese soufflé nicely. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are good choices, offering a crisp and dry flavour profile that will not overwhelm the soufflé's delicate flavour. If you are looking for something a little more celebratory, Champagne is a perfect choice, or even mimosas if you are serving brunch.
Dry rosé wines are another excellent option to pair with a cheese soufflé. The dryness of the wine will provide a nice contrast to the richness of the soufflé, while still maintaining a light and refreshing quality.
If you prefer red wine, it is best to choose a lighter variety. Stay away from big, tannic wines like Cabernet or Syrah, as these may overpower the soufflé. Instead, opt for a Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, which are lighter in body and flavour and will complement the soufflé without overwhelming it.
The key is to keep the wine choices light and crisp, allowing the cheese soufflé to shine as the star of the meal. With its impressive stature and rich flavour, the soufflé is a delightful dish to serve, and with the right wine pairing, your guests will be impressed and satisfied.
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Bread: French, or with soup
A cheese soufflé is a delicious and elegant dish that goes well with a variety of sides. Bread is a popular choice, with some opting for crusty French bread or baguettes. Melba toast is another option to consider, providing a nice textural contrast to the creamy richness of the soufflé.
If you're serving your cheese soufflé with soup, a simple green salad is a great option to round out the meal. You can also experiment with different types of greens and vinaigrettes to find your preferred combination. For a heartier meal, roasted vegetables are a perfect pairing. They taste delicious with the creamy and rich soufflé, and you can choose from a variety of options such as sweet and spicy roasted carrots, nutty Brussels sprouts, or earthy mushrooms.
When serving a cheese soufflé with French bread or soup, it's important to consider the portion sizes and the overall balance of the meal. You may want to adjust the quantity of bread or soup depending on how filling you want the meal to be. Additionally, feel free to experiment with different types of bread, such as French bread, baguettes, or toast, to find your preferred option.
For a more elaborate meal, you can offer a variety of sides, including bread, soup, and roasted vegetables. This allows your guests to customize their plates and create their own unique flavor combinations. Remember to consider the dietary preferences and restrictions of your guests when planning your menu.
Lastly, don't forget to consider the presentation and serving techniques. For a more casual gathering, you can simply place the cheese soufflé, bread, and soup on the table for guests to serve themselves. For a more formal event, you might want to consider individual servings, ensuring that each guest has their own plate with the soufflé, bread, and a small bowl of soup.
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Frequently asked questions
A green salad, steamed green beans, wilted greens, or another vegetable are all good options to serve with a cheese souffle.
Some protein options to serve with a cheese souffle include salumi (like prosciutto or salami), charcuterie, or bacon. You could also serve chicken, but be mindful of the different cooking times and temperatures.
Most white wines go well with cheese souffle—consider a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, or a dry rosé. Champagne or mimosas are also good choices, especially for brunch. If you prefer red wine, opt for a lighter variety like a Pinot Noir or Beaujolais.
Yes, a cheese souffle is best served immediately as it tends to collapse over time. You can also add some herbs like chives, tarragon, or chervil to enhance the flavor.
