Broccoli Souffle

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Butter well and chill 8 1¼-cup souffle dishes.

2. Step 2

   Slice broccoli stalks into 3 or 4 pieces, lengthwise, to speed cooking. Boil in lightly salted water until soft. Drain well.

3. Step 3

   Place broccoli in food processor or blender with ricotta. Puree briefly. Add nutmeg, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Puree thoroughly. You should have about 3 cups. Transfer to bowl.

4. Step 4

   Add yolks to mixture and blend well with wire whisk. In another bowl whisk whites until they form soft peaks. Fold ¼ of whites into mixture, then remainder. Do not overwork. Taste for seasoning.

5. Step 5

   Place souffle dishes on baking sheet and fill to rim. Before placing in oven run thumb around rim of each to remove any overflow, which could cling and prevent souffle from rising fully. Bake for approximately 10 minutes.