Soufflé

French cooking · eggs · baking

It means puffed.. The word soufflé comes from a French verb that means to blow or puff up, which is exactly what happens when you bake one. The dish literally gets its name from how it puffs up in the oven.

Eggs do the magic.. Soufflés are made by separating eggs and whipping the whites until they're super fluffy and full of tiny air bubbles. When you bake it, those bubbles expand from the heat and make the whole dish rise dramatically.

Born in France.. Soufflés were invented in France in the early 1700s and became famous as a fancy dish. They showed off a cook's skill because they're tricky to get just right.

Sweet or savory.. You can make a soufflé with cheese and vegetables for dinner, or add sugar and chocolate to make it a fancy dessert. The same fluffy technique works for both kinds.

Timing is everything.. A soufflé has to be eaten right after it comes out of the oven, or it will start to deflate and fall. This is why it's such a thrilling dish to make and serve.