Barber’s kindly invited me to the BBC Good Food Show last year in Birmingham and I really enjoyed it. I had a good old chat to Barber’s about their cheese; they use their own starter cultures to make their cheese and I was amazed at the difference each culture can make to the end flavour of the cheese. Some will give it an earthy, Marmite flavour and others will give a slight sweetness. In order to enjoy their cheese Barber’s gave me all the ingredients and a recipe to make a delicious twice baked cheese soufflé.
225ml milk
1 bay leaf
1 shallot, finely chopped
6 black peppercorns
40g butter, plus extra for greasing
40g plain flour
125g Barber’s 1833 Vintage Cheddar, plus extra for sprinkling
3 large eggs, separated
1 tbsp. chopped chives
Salt and pepper
150ml double cream
Preheat an oven to 180C and butter six individual ramekins.
Put the milk, shallot, bay leaf and peppercorns in a saucepan and bring to the boil then strain into a jug. I always enjoy doing this as it smells so good.
Melt the butter in a saucepan then add the flour and cook for a few minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk then simmer for a few more minutes. Remove from the heat and add the cheese before adding the egg yolks, chives and a little salt and pepper.
Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks then fold these into the cheese mixture. Divide between the buttered ramekins.
Place the ramekins in a bain marie (a baking tray that you can fill with boiling water so it comes half way up the ramekins). Bake for 15-20 minutes until risen and firm. Mine took a little longer than 20 minutes. Leave to cool.
When ready to serve preheat an oven to 200C and gently remove the soufflés from their ramekins and put them into an ovenproof dish. Pour over the cream and sprinkle over some more cheese then return to the oven for 10-15 minutes.
Not quite as majestic as I envisaged but they tasted wonderful. Nowhere near as complicated as I thought they’d be, cheese soufflés actually make quite a quick, cheap meal. The cheese was at just the right amount to be punchy but not overpowering and the chives gave a welcome freshness and onion hum. I have also enjoyed the Barber’s in a doorstep sandwich with some nice sliced pickled onion and also amongst some other cheeses on a fine cheeseboard. British milk, British farmers and British cheese, what’s not to love?
Thank you to Barber’s for the cheese, recipe and tickets to the BBCGFS. All opinions expressed are my own.
They look delicious Caroline. I so love cheese.
I truly love anything with a good cheese. These little souffles look terrific!
They look like they would just melt in the mouth.. 🙂 yummy!
Looks absolutely fabulous and you are right about cheese. It just can make anyone melt, what more in the souffles.
Nailed it. I want to make this for my breakfast tomorrow morning!
these look amazing and love a good cheddar
Looks fantastic!
Can’t go wrong with good mature Cheddar.
These look delicious. That mention of marmite though made me salivate although Bovril is still king.
Love your cheese souffles!
I’m all for quick, cheap meals at the moment! These look delicious too though Caroline.
Oh, my. I love cheese souffles! And yours look scrumptious!!!
These look so good… should try them out soon.
Looks like you’ve done great things with our cheese. The original Daniel Barber (1833) would be chuffed with your efforts! Would love to have a taste but will have to make do with the photos I guess. It was really nice to meet you.Thanks again
Such a great idea!! I love cheese souffles – they are awesome.
Really interesting recipe! Whenever I made a souffle, I serve it right away. Like the way you make it, then reheat it – sounds incredibly delish. Thanks for this.
not only have i never made souffles, i’ve never even eaten one! these look so tasty though–that texture is incomparable!
These are total comfort food!!
I adore cheddar and these look delicious! Happy New Year!
This looks so good and perfect for this cold January weather!
They look lovely and light, what a versatile recipe x
Wow, I’ve never heard of a dish like this. It looks so rich and utterly amazing!
wow these look absolutely incredible! I love a good bit of cheese, I might even have to try being brave enough to make souffles and try this recipe!