Sweet, creamy mashed banana pulp is an ideal soufflé base, but if you think bananas are just too humble to be turned into an elegant dessert worthy of serving to guests, try these simple soufflés spruced up with some warm chocolate sauce passed alongside. Be sure the bananas that you use are really ripe—the skins of yellow bananas (as opposed to red ones that are less common) should be covered with black speckles and their texture should be soft.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Position an oven rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Butter four 4-ounce (125-ml) ramekins or soufflé molds. Pour some sugar into each and tilt the ramekin to coat the sides; gently tap out any excess. Set the ramekins on a baking sheet.
Step 2
To make the soufflé base, in a large bowl, thoroughly mix together the mashed bananas, rum, lemon juice, and pastry cream.
Step 3
In a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment (or in a bowl by hand), whisk together the egg whites and salt on low speed until frothy. Increase the speed to high, gradually add the 2 tablespoons (30 g) sugar, and continue whisking until the whites form shiny, stiff peaks.
Step 4
Fold one-quarter of the whipped egg whites into the soufflé base, then gently fold in the remaining whites, taking care not to deflate them. A few streaks of egg whites are preferable to an overfolded and deflated soufflé mixture.
Step 5
Divide the soufflé mixture evenly among the prepared ramekins, filling each to just below the rim, then sprinkle with a light, even dusting of sugar. Bake until the tops are nicely browned and the soufflés quiver softly when gently nudged, about 10 minutes.
Step 6
Serve the soufflés right away.
Serving
Step 7
Pass a pitcher of Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce (page 243) or Raspberry Sauce (page 246) at the table for pouring into the soufflés.
Storage
Step 8
The soufflé mixture, once divided among the ramekins, can stand at room temperature for up to 1 hour before baking.
Variations
Step 9
You can make a less rich version of these soufflés (that also happens to be gluten-free) by simply substituting 4 teaspoons of sugar for the pastry cream when making the soufflé base.
Step 10
For CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA SOUFFLÉS, add about 2 ounces (60 g) chopped dark or milk chocolate to the soufflé base when folding in the egg whites.
