Lisa Steele is a fifth-generation chicken keeper who shares her profound knowledge of poultry tips, egg facts, recipes, and more from her farm in Maine. Along the way Lisa has expanded her brand from taking care and raising chickens to mastering ways to use their lovely eggs. Lisa is the author of the "Fresh Eggs Daily" Cookbook, Blogger at "Coop to Kitchen" and host of the show "Welcome To My Farm."

Lisa talked about when she perfected omelets and souffles and how satisfied she felt! Having never gotten to that level of mastery, I can only say I am jealous! She has provided her recipe (see below) so you, too, can make your best omelet and savory souffles and get a taste of her delightful book. She also sent me this link from her new recipe website for another delicious version of said perfect omelet.

Gruyere and Tarragon Omelet

https://www.cooptokitchen.com/2024/06/gruyere-and-tarragon-omelet.html

Spinach Goat Cheese Omelet

This half fold omelet is bursting with flavor and one of my favorites to whip up. It seems like a lot of spinach, but the heat from the omelet will wilt it down pretty quickly.

2 eggs, room temperature

Pinch of Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

2 cups fresh baby spinach

1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese, plus more for garnish

Heat a 9- or 10-inch skillet with sloped sides over high heat while you whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt in a small bowl until frothy. 

Add the oil to the pan and tilt the pan to coat the bottom with the oil. Then add the butter, continuing to tilt and swirl the butter. Once the butter is melted and has stopped sizzling, pour in the eggs, and use a rubber spatula to gently move the eggs around in the pan, while continuing to tilt the pan with your other hand.

When the eggs are almost set, pile the cheese and spinach on one side of the pan, then tip the skillet and pull the egg away from the edge of the pan. Tilt the pan with the spinach and cheese closer to you and use a spatula to fold the opposite half of the egg over towards the middle, covering the filling. Slide your omelet out of the pan onto a plate.Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired, crumble some additional cheese on top and drizzle with additional oil.

Makes one omelet.

Savory Cheese Souffles

While the thought of making a souffle might be intimidating, they’re rarely found on restaurant menus, so you’re going to have to learn to make your own at some point! I find these individual souffles easier to make than a large one - and just look at it this way, what’s the worst that can happen? Your souffle will fall?

It will still taste divine. And once you’ve mastered the technique and made the perfect souffle, there’s such a sense of satisfaction. This is my standby recipe for a basic savory souffle with Parmesan cheese. It should come out light and fluffy and practically melt in your mouth if you’ve made it correctly. 

Butter and cornmeal for dusting ramekins

6 fresh eggs, room temperature

1 Cup milk

1/4 Cup heavy cream

Sprig of fresh thyme

2 Tablespoons butter

1/4 cup flour

3 Tablespoons sherry

1/4 Cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Fresh ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees with the rack in the bottom third. Butter six eight-ounce ramekins, brushing the butter in an upward motion and dust with cornmeal. Separate the six eggs so you have three of the yolks and the six whites separated in two bowls. Save the remaining three yolks for another recipe.

Bring the milk, cream and thyme sprig to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the milk foams and begins to bubble. Remove from the heat. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, then sprinkle in the flour, whisking constantly for about a minute until the mixture thickens.

Slowly whisk in the warm milk mixture and continue to whisk for another minute or two, until the sauce is bubbling, smooth and begins to thicken. Remove the thyme sprig, pour the liquid into a large mixing bowl and whisk in the sherry, Parmesan cheese, salt and nutmeg, then whisk in the three egg yolks. Let cool.

When the egg yolk mixture has cooled, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar on low speed until foamy, then beat on high speed 1-2 minutes  just until soft peaks form.  The whites should still be glossy, not dry.  Gently fold one-third of the egg whites into the flour/milk mixture with a rubber spatula, then carefully fold in the remaining egg whites until just combined. 

Ladle the mixture into the prepared ramekins, filling each to within ¼” of the top rim, then gently smooth the top, run your thumb around the inside rim of each ramekin, place them on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 16-18 minutes, or until puffed and golden on top. Don’t peek! Don’t open the oven until the souffles have been baking for at least 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Note: for a higher rising souffle, you can make a collar to fit around the inside top rim of the ramekin out of parchment paper and slide it in between the egg and ramekin just before putting the souffles in the oven.

Makes 6 single-serving souffles.

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