George Calombaris – Fetta Souffle with Byzantine Grape Dressing

Ingredients:

• 500ml full cream milk
• 1 sprig thyme
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 garlic clove
• 2 onions, roughly chopped
• 100g butter, unsalted
• 50g plain flour
• 300g Dodoni fetta
• 20g corn flour
• 20g water
• Whites of 3 eggs
• 50g breadcrumbs
• 150g seedless black grapes, halved
• 2 shallots, peeled and finely diced
• 30g tomato ketchup
• 40g sherry vinegar
• 80ml extra virgin olive oil

Method:

1. Pre heat oven to 180 degrees C.
2. In a small saucepan, infuse the milk, with the herbs, onion and garlic on a moderate heat.
3. In another saucepan make a roux by melting 50g butter, then adding the plain flour, stirring continuously until it starts to thicken.
4. Once the milk has infused with the herbs for about 15 minutes, strain it into another pan on a low heat. Add the roux to the infused milk whisking continuously until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Add fetta and continue to whisk until smooth.
5. In a small bowl, combine corn flour with the water to make a slurry. Add slurry to the béchamel and stir until it reaches a sauce like consistency. Allow to cool.
6. To make the dressing, combine grapes, shallots, ketchup, sherry vinegar and olive oil in a small mixing bowl. Refrigerate until required.
7. Brush each soufflé mould with softened butter, and then dust the inside with breadcrumbs.
8. Whisk egg whites to firm peaks, and then gently fold in the feta mixture until combined.
9. Add soufflé mix to each mould, remembering to clean the tip of the rim with your thumb, to allow it to rise evenly whilst cooking.
10. Bake for approximately 8 minutes. Serve immediately with the grape dressing on the side.