NATIONAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE DAY
A delightfully delicious dessert is observed each year on February 28th as it is National Chocolate Souffle Day.
The word souffle is the past participle of the French verb souffler, which means “to blow up” or more loosely “puff up”, which describes a souffle perfectly. A souffle is a lightly baked cake made with egg yolks and beaten egg whites that are combined with various other ingredients. Souffle can be found served as a savory main dish or sweetened as a dessert.
There are two basic components that make up every souffle.
1. a French creme patisserie base/flavored cream sauce or puree
2. egg whites beaten to a soft peak meringue
The flavor is provided by the base and the “lift” is provided by the beaten egg whites. A variety of cheeses, jams, fruits or chocolates can be baked into the base of the souffle. Many souffle bakers like to puncture the top of the souffle after it is removed from the oven, and pour mouth watering sauces onto it, such as chocolate, vanilla or for a savory flavor cheese and herbs.
