Cupid has shot his arrow and it has landed in the heart of this decadent dessert.
A new take on Australian classic, the lamington, this Valentine’s Day 2020, treat your date to a dessert that will melt their heart (and their stomach) each time they spoon into this fluffy combination of soft lamington soufflé, oozing chocolate sauce and a light flutter of coconut jam whisked throughout. In partnership with Australian Eggs ambassador, Manu Feildel, we’ve shared Manu’s Valentine’s Day 2020 dessert pick, the Lamington Soufflé – the perfect way to finish a romantic meal on a decadent note.
Born into a family of chefs, pastry chefs and with a simple love for creating delicious meals in the kitchen, Manu is now renowned for his impressive French restaurants in the UK and for his expansive work featured across an array of Australian television series. Just in time for the most romantic day of the year, Manu Feildel and his Lamington Soufflé recipe has promised to get you ready to fall in love with more than just your partner this Valentine’s Day 2020.
Prep time: 60 minutes (plus 4 hours setting time). Cook time: 20 minutes. Serves: 4.
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE SOUFFLÉ
Melted butter or coconut oil, for greasing
Finely desiccated coconut, plus extra
4 eggs, at room temperature, separated, plus the white from more 1 egg
1 tbs plain flour
2/3 cup milk
2 tbs caster sugar
FOR THE COCONUT JAM
2 tbs coconut syrup
2 tbs coconut oil
1 x 320g can coconut sweetened condensed milk
FOR THE CHOCOLATE SAUCE
100ml cream
20g unsalted butter
100g dark chocolate
METHOD
1. For the coconut jam, place all ingredients in a medium saucepan and cook over a medium heat, stirring for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Set to one side to cool.
2. For the soufflé, separate the eggs, placing 5 whites into the bowl of an electric mixer and placing 4 yolks into a medium bowl. Add the plain flour to the yolks along with half the coconut jam and whisk until smooth.
3. Pour milk into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over a medium heat. Pour over egg yolks, whisking continuously. Pour back into the saucepan and cook over a medium low heat until mixture has thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Leave to cool completely, mixing occasionally so it doesn’t form a skin.
4. Meanwhile, prepare four x 1-cup-capacity soufflé dishes by brushing with butter or coconut oil, using the brush in an upwards motion to create columns for the soufflé to rise on. Dust with desiccated coconut and tip out any excess.
5. Beat the 5 egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer and to soft peaks. Gradually beat in sugar until it has dissolved.
6. Fold half of the whipped egg whites into the yolk mixture until combined. Then, gently fold the remaining egg white into the egg mixture, ensuring to incorporate as much air as possible. Evenly divide the mixture between the prepared ramekins, smooth the top and run your finger around the edges to remove any excess mixture.
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 190C for 15-18 minutes or until lovely and puffed.
8. For the chocolate sauce, place the cream and butter in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over a medium heat. Finely chop chocolate and place in a bowl. Pour hot cream over the chocolate and leave to sit for 1-2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Pour into a serving jug.
9. Serve the soufflé straight out of the oven, dusting the tops with desiccated coconut if desired and with a little pot of warm liquid chocolate on the side. Tell your guests to make a little divot in the top of the soufflé and to pour it into the center of the divot to enjoy.
