1177. BACON, POTATO and GRUYERE SOUFFLE

makes six servings


Cooking spray
2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
1 3/4 pounds peeled white potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 3 medium)
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/3 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons butter
1 cup thinly sliced leek (about 1 large)
3/4 cup (3 ounces) finely grated Gruyère cheese
2 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
6 large egg whites

Lightly coat 6 (8-ounce) soufflé dishes with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with breadcrumbs. Set aside.

Place potatoes in a medium saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes or until very tender; drain. Cool. Combine potatoes, buttermilk, and next 4 ingredients (through egg) in a food processor; process until smooth. Transfer potato mixture to a large bowl.

Position oven rack to lowest setting; remove middle rack. Preheat to 425°.

Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add leek to pan; sauté 6 minutes or until tender. Add leek, cheese, and bacon to potato mixture; stir well to combine.

Place egg whites in a large mixing bowl; beat at high speed with a mixer until stiff peaks form (do not overbeat). Gently fold one-fourth of egg whites into potato mixture; gently fold in remaining egg whites. Gently spoon mixture into prepared dishes. Sharply tap dishes on counter 2 to 3 times to level. Place dishes on a baking sheet; place baking sheet on the bottom rack of a 425° oven. Immediately reduce oven temperature to 350° (do not remove soufflés from oven). Bake 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the side of soufflé comes out clean. Serve immediately.


courtesy of: Julianna Grimes Bottcher, Cooking Light, April 2006