White Asparagus & Crab Soufflé

White Asparagus & Crab Souffle

White asparagus is an expensive treat. It’s less assertively flavoured than green, and shouldn’t be fussed with too much. Use true Parmigiano- Reggiano here, and look for high-quality lump crab meat in the refrigerator section rather than purchasing the stuff in shelf-stable cans. Serve alone as a first course or as a main alongside a 
delicate green salad.
Ingredients:
4 oz (115 g) lump crabmeat, drained
½ lb (225 g) white asparagus, stalks peeled
Pinch finely grated black pepper
¼ tsp (1 mL) salt
4 tbsp (60 mL) unsalted butter
Fine bread crumbs
2½ oz (70 g) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
¼ cup (60 mL) all-purpose flour
1 cup (250 mL) warm whole milk
3 large eggs, separated

Directions:

Using your fingers, shred the crabmeat while picking over for bits of shell. Set aside.

Cut the asparagus into 2-inch (5-cm) lengths. Cook in boiling salted water until tender, 6 to 9 minutes, depending on thickness. Drain and dry on a paper towel. Purée, along with the pepper and salt, in a food processor; reserve.

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; remove from stovetop. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the inside of a 6-cup (1.5-L) souŠé dish with butter. Coat dish with a thin layer of bread crumbs.

Measure a scant ¼ cup (60 mL) of the Parmigiano and set aside for the top of the soufflé.

Return butter to medium heat and sprinkle flour over; stir to combine. Cook until very lightly golden, about 1 minute. Whisk in milk, a little at a time. Once smooth, let boil 2 minutes longer, whisking constantly. Remove from heat, whisk in egg yolks, the larger measure of the Parmigiano, then asparagus purée. Stir in reserved crab; set aside.

In a large clean bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks. Stir about one-quarter of egg whites into asparagus mixture. Carefully fold in the remaining egg whites using a rubber spatula. Scrape into prepared dish, sprinkle with remaining Parmigiano and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until pu–ed and golden. 

Serves 4 to 6