Masala Souffle

Ingredients:

125 gm            Butter
125 gm            Flour
600 ml             Milk (warm)
6 nos.              Eggs (separated)
To taste          Salt
1 tsp                 Red Chilli flakes
6 – 7 sprigs     Fresh Mint (leaves finely shredded)
2 – 3 cloves    Garlic (finely chopped)
1 tsp                 Nutmeg  (powdered)
200 gm            Processed Cheese (grated)
4 tbsp              Breadcrumbs

Method:

1. In a saucepan, melt butter, add flour and cook till raw smell disappears.
2. Whisk in warm milk and cook till mixture thickens slightly. Whisk in egg yolks, salt and chilli flakes and continue cooking the mixture for another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from flame.
3. Mix the mint, chopped garlic, nutmeg  powder and cheese into the cooked mixture. Keep aside.
4. Preheat the oven to 180ºC.
5. Quickly beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt till stiff. Add the prepared soufflé base to the egg whites and gently fold in to combine.
6. Grease ramekin moulds with butter and dust evenly with breadcrumbs.
7. Fill the ramekins ¾ with the soufflé batter, sprinkle over with chilli flakes, pipli powder and mint and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and serve immediately

This recipe is from Masterchef India.  I used grated cheddar cheese instead of processed cheese.  Can also add 4-5 finely chopped mushrooms - tastes really nice.