Eddie's: February 2004 Archives

Todd said a funny thing when we sat down to eat these souffle-like cakes, "It's amazing. One instant they're not there, the next they're there." It's a thought I often have when I make something quick out of simple ingredients. You take all these components and combine them to create something entirely different. I whipped these up after we finished dinner, so that speed might have contributed to Todd's temporary awe.

The recipe was from Everyday Food, but I altered it to make just 2 servings, which was kind of difficult because that was 1/3 the recipe. (What's 1/3 of 1/2 cup? I know it's 1/6 cup, but how do you measure that out? How many tablespoons is that?) First I separated 1 egg and whisked the yolk with 2 generous tablespoons of sugar (less than EF instructed, but I wanted a tart, not-too-sweet cake). Whisked in 2 teaspoons flour, then a teaspoon grated lemon zest and 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. While I was doing that, Todd beat the egg white to soft peaks with a pinch of salt. Folded the whites into the lemon mixture, divided it between 2 greased ramekins, then baked it in a water bath at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, or until the tops are brown (the recipe said 20 to 25 minutes, though; I'm thinking my new oven runs hot).

The cakes form a top souffle-like layer with a lemon custard layer underneath (if you were trying to make a souffle you'd wonder what you did wrong). But it's good: as you scoop down through it, you're coating the cake part with the warm custard. I would make it more lemony next time.

I was alone for dinner last night, which made it the perfect night for butternut squash, which Todd does not like (surprised?). I found an itty-bitty squash at Natural, cut it into cubes, tossed it with olive oil, salt, pepper, herbs and chunks of chicken sausage and roasted it in a 450 degree oven. Stirred it once, but only took it out after the smoke set off the alarm (which just sends me running to close the doors to the kitchen, since the smoke detector is in the hallway and is just barely out of my reach, even when I'm standing on a chair). Drizzled on some balsamic at the end. Simple and simply good, although it didn't feel like a complete meal on it's own.