Cornmeal-pumpkin Dessert Souffles

Total Time: 2 hrs 35 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 1 hr 35 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 cups 1% low-fat milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus
• 6 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 piece orange zest, 3 by 1 inch
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2/3 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 4 large egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Recipe

• 1 in a large heavy saucepan, combine milk, 1/4 cup sugar and orange zest; bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• 2 discard orange zest.
• 3 whisking constantly, add cornmeal in a thin, steady stream.
• 4 cook, whisking, until thickened, about 2 minutes.
• 5 whisk in pumpkin puree and nutmeg.
• 6 simmer, stirring constantly, until very thick, about 10 minutes.
• 7 scrape mixture into a large mixing bowl.
• 8 place a sheet of plastic wrap directly over the surface.
• 9 let cool to room temperature, about 45 minutes.
• 10 (the soufflé base will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. before continuing, bring to room temperature: place bowl over a pan of simmering water or microwave at medium power for 1 to 2 minutes.) preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• 11 lightly oil six 8-ounce soufflé dishes or ramekins or coat them with nonstick spray.
• 12 coat the inside of each dish with 1 teaspoon sugar, tapping out the excess.
• 13 line a small roasting pan with a folded kitchen towel.
• 14 put a large kettle of water on to boil.
• 15 shortly before serving, in a large mixing bowl, combine egg whites and salt; beat with an electric mixer at high speed until foamy and opaque, forming very soft peaks.
• 16 add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating constantly until slightly firm peaks form.
• 17 whisk one-fourth of the egg whites into pumpkin mixture until smooth.
• 18 with a rubber spatula, gently fold in remaining whites.
• 19 divide among prepared dishes.
• 20 place dishes in prepared pan.
• 21 pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the dishes.
• 22 bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until well risen and golden.
• 23 remove from pan.
• 24 dust with confectioners' sugar.
• 25 serve immediately.