Beet Bottomed Goat Cheese Soufflé

Directions

Roast and cool the beets in advance. Trim the tail and top of the beets. Season the beets still in their skins (salt, pepper and olive oil) and roast until tender (about 1 hour or so).

Cool, peel while warm, slipping skins off under running water and slice about ½ inch thick (1 cm or so).

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Coat four 10-ounce ramekins (or a 2 to 2½-quart soufflé dish) with cooking spray and place them on a baking sheet.

Line the bottom with the sliced beets.

Set aside.

Melt butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.

Whisk in flour and cook, whisking, for 1 minute.

Adjust heat as needed to prevent the mixture from getting too dark; it should be the color of caramel.

Add milk, mustard, sage and salt and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and immediately whisk in goat cheese and 3 egg yolks until well combined.

Transfer to a large bowl.

Beat the 5 egg whites in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form.

Add cream of tartar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold half of the whipped whites into the milk mixture.

Gently fold in the remaining egg whites just until no white streaks remain.

Transfer to the prepared ramekins or soufflé dish.

Bake until puffed, firm to the touch and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 160°F, about 20 minutes in ramekins or 30 minutes in a soufflé dish.

Serve immediately.