White Cheddar Polenta Souffle

This White Cheddar Polenta Souffle is light as air and full of flavor. Perfect for a spring lunch that will feel very fancy and totally awesome.

Aries energy is passionate and action-oriented. As the first sign of the Zodiac, it likes to challenge itself and create new ways of being. It's a busy little bee that's not afraid to fight for what it believes in. Always on the move, Aries energy can feel unstoppable.

But it's followed by Taurus season, which is slow like honey and stable like an old oak tree. It likes to take its time and indulge in the finer things in life. Taurus is never, ever in a rush. It knows the world will still be there after it wakes up from a nap and has a snack.

I love to combine these energies as a kitchen witch by making something that's a bit of a challenge and then giving myself the opportunity to really indulge in its deliciousness.

What makes White Cheddar Polenta Souffle so awesome?

This White Cheddar Polenta Souffle is the perfect marriage of Aries and Taurus energy. It's maybe not the easiest thing in the world to make, but if you never push yourself beyond your edge, you never grow. And really, it's not that complicated if you pay attention and take your time. The pay off for that challenging cooking experience is so rewarding. With sharp white cheddar cheese and flavorful polenta or cornmeal, the result is deeply flavorful.

This is one of the few dishes that I truly want to serve with a salad. The souffle is both light and rich, and somehow it just makes me feel like I'm in a French bistro to eat it with a side of spring greens drizzled with a flavorful viniagrette. Add a glass of chilled white wine, and I can't think of anything quite so luxurious to offer to yourself and your friends. Call your coven sisters over for lunch and get stuck in for a delicious afternoon of high vibe goodness.

Magical Properties of Cheese

I can always remember that image from an old book that claimed that you can fascinate a woman with a piece of cheese. It would definitely work on me. I also never forget that cheese carries the energy of happiness because I feel this in my bones. Ruled by the element of earth and the planet Saturn, cheese can also be used in spells for success, transformation, positive communication, cooperation, and friendliness. (Source: The Kitchen Witch's Guide to Healing & Self-Care by Maggie Haseman)

For more on the magical properties of the ingredients in this recipe, check the Kitchen Magick page.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this souffle. The full details are in the recipe card below.

• Butter - unsalted
• Water
• Cornmeal - a coarser grind will give you a grittier texture, whereas finer polenta will give you a creamier texture
• Garlic - fresh if possible
• Salt
• Eggs - whites and yolks separated
• Cheese - sharp white cheddar is ideal
• Cayenne pepper
• Cream of tartar
• Parmesan cheese - grated

Tips for making White Cheddar Polenta Souffle

Okay, this dish has a few steps and uses a lot of dishes. The French are fiddly. What can I say? Definitely only make this on a day when you're in the mood to fuss around in the kitchen for a while. Everything is easy. You just need patience.

First up, you'll want to prep your souffle pan. Just like you would butter and flour a cake pan, you'll butter the inside of the pan, then instead of flour, you'll coat the butter in grated Parmesan. This will help your souffle batter climb up the sides of the pan and rise beautifully. Put plastic wrap over the top of the souffle dish as you do this so that you can get the Parmesan right to the top. Then save the remaining Parm for your batter later.

Then you want to cook your cornmeal together with your butter, water, garlic, and salt to turn it into a mushy polenta situation. Beat your egg yolks, then slowly add your polenta mixture to gradually raise the temperature, whisking all the while. Once that's incorporated, you can then stir in the cheddar, cayenne, and Parmesan. Set this aside while you whisk your egg whites to a stiff peak.

To bring it all together, fold your polenta mixture into the whipped egg whites, about a third at a time, working gently to incorporate the mixture without deflating your eggs. Then carefully transfer this to your souffle dish and bake until it's golden and puffy.

It's going to fall some when you take it out of the oven. It's unavoidable. You haven't done anything wrong. It's still delicious.

You deserve something fancy and French every now and then. Try this White Cheddar Polenta Souffle. It's gonna be awesome.

Looking for more awesome eggy recipes? Try this Savoury Sausage Bread Pudding or some Goat Cheese Souffles.

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Recipe slightly adapted from I'm Just Here for More Food by Alton Brown.

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