Special Diet Information
Coumadin® (Warfarin)
This recipe is safe for Coumadin (warfarin) users.
Lactose
Avoid this recipe if you are lactose intolerant.
Sodium
This is NOT a low sodium recipe.
GERD / Acid Reflux
No specific GERD triggers.
Gluten Sensitivity
This recipe is safe for those who are sensitive to gluten.
Use gluten-free garbanzo flour in this dish.
"The only thing that will make a souffle fall is if it knows you're afraid of it." -James Beard
The refrigerator light goes on...
Spinach souffle was one of those dishes that was served in fancy restaurants when I was a kid. I was just learning about food and watching the chefs whisk the egg whites and gently fold the creamy spinach mixture seemed at once improbable and requiring vast skills.
Making a souffle is neither improbable or requires much skill: it's easier than most people think.
This spinach souffle takes only a few minutes to prepare and makes a fantastic dish for your next weekend brunch or dinner party. The spinach sauce can be made ahead and added to the whisked egg whites when ready to bake. Allow the chilled mixture to come to room temperature before adding the egg whites.
Souffles do fall, but that is usually when there is too many egg whites for the amount of sauce. It is a fine balance, and if you don't have vast skills, following a souffle recipe will likely help you get it right every time.
Spinach Souffle
Servings: 2 | Serving size: about 2 cups
Cooking time: 60 minutes
This recipe can easily be multiplied by using multiple small souffle dishes or 1 or more larger ones. If you are making a single large souffle, do not multiply by more than 4.
This recipe makes good leftovers (but will not be as fluffy).
| 1 tsp. | unsalted butter |
| 1 tsp. | olive oil |
| 6 ounces | fresh spinach (finely chopped) |
| 1 Tbsp. | all purpose white flour or gluten-free garbanzo flour |
| 1/3 cup | 2% milk |
| 1/8 tsp. | ground nutmeg |
| 2 large | eggs (separated) |
| 2 ounces | Parmigiano Reggiano (grated) |
| pinch | cream of tartar |
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
After separating the eggs, place the yolks in a small bowl and set aside. Place the egg whites in a mixing bowl and set aside.
Coat a souffle dish (or dishes) with the butter and set aside.
Place the olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium high heat.
Add the spinach and cook for about 4 minutes, until the spinach is wilted and most of the water has evaporated.
Add the flour, nutmeg, and salt.
Cook for about one minute until the flour is well incorporated.
Add the milk and cook for about 3 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
Use a regular spoon and add about 3 spoons of the spinach sauce to the egg yolks and mix well.
Return the egg yolk mixture to the sauce pan with the spinach, along with the parmesan cheese.
Fold together until the cheese is melted, the mixture is well blended, and the sauce is thick.
Remove from the heat.
While the spinach mixture is cooling, add the cream of tartar to the egg whites and whisk until the egg whites form stiff peaks.
Gently fold the spinach mixture into the egg whites.
Place the mixture in the souffle dishes and place the souffles in the oven.
Bake for 20 minutes and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: about 2 cups
Servings: 2
Amount Per Serving
| Calories 240 | Calories from Fat 140 |
| % Daily Value |
| Total Fat 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat 6g | 30% |
| Monounsaturated Fat 4g | |
| Trans Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 219mg | 73% |
| Sodium 300mg | 13% |
| Total Carbohydrates 6g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
| Sugars 1g | |
| Protein 21g |
| Vitamin A 6% | Vitamin C 0% |
| Calcium 2% | Iron 4% |
| Vitamin K 2mcg | Potassium 503mg |