(Soufflé au Chocolat)

SERVES 3 – 4

We prefer this delicate but intensely chocolaty flourless soufflé to the more traditional flour-stabilized version.

3 tbsp. milk
5 1⁄2 tbsp. sugar, plus additional for dusting soufflé
   dish
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 egg yolks
3 egg whites
Confectioners' sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Place milk and 4 tbsp. sugar in a small saucepan and stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves, about 45 seconds. Stir in chocolate and cook until melted, 1–2 minutes. Transfer to a nonreactive bowl (glass or stainless steel), cool for 5 minutes, then beat in egg yolks.

2. Beat egg whites in a nonreactive bowl until foamy, then sprinkle in remaining sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.

3. Butter a small soufflé dish (2 1/2'' deep, 6'' diameter; soufflé will not rise in a larger dish), then lightly dust with sugar. Gently mix one-third of the egg whites into chocolate mixture, then fold in remaining whites, one-third at a time. Do not overmix. Spoon batter into dish.

4. Make sure oven rack is low enough to allow soufflé room to rise as much as 2'' above the dish. Bake until puffed, about 25 minutes. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve immediately. (Soufflé will begin to deflate after about 2 minutes.)