Strawberry Souffle with Orange Sauce

Directions

Souffle: Rinse, hull and purée the berries.

Purée the berries in a blender or food processor.

Measure 2 cups puree. (Use any remaining purée for the sauce.)

Combine water and sugar in a 2-quart saucepan and bring to a boil over low heat.

Cook until the syrup thickens, about 3 minutes.

Increase heat and add purée, stirring to dissolve any sugar which may have hardened when the purée was added.

Bring to a boil and cool.

Thirty minutes before serving the souffle, preheat the oven to 400℉ (200℃) and set a rack in the lower part of the oven.

Spray a 2½-quart oval gratin dish or rectangular glass baking dish with vegetable cooking spray and sprinkle the inside of the dish with sugar.

Whip the egg whites with the salt until they hold a soft peak.

Fold in the cooled strawberry puree.

Pour the souffle batter into the dish and smooth the top of the batter with a metal spatula.

Bake about 15 minutes, until well risen and lightly colored.

Serve immediately.

Strawberry-Orange Sauce: While the souffle is baking, combine the sauce ingredients in the blender (adding any leftover puree) and puree.

Place in saucepan and bring to a boil and reduce for a minute or two.

Serve with the souffle.

Vary this souffle with other fruit or berries--use 2 cups of pureed, strained fruit as a substitute for the strawberries.