Chocolate Soufflé

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons margarine or butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
• 4 beaten egg yolks
• 4 egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup sugar

Instructions

1. Butter the sides of a 2-quart soufflé dish. Sprinkle sides with a little sugar. Set aside.
2. In a small saucepan melt margarine. Stir in flour. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Add chocolate; stir till melted. Remove from heat. Gradually stir chocolate mixture into beaten egg yolks. Set aside.
3. Beat egg whites and vanilla till soft peaks form (tips curl). Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, beating till stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Fold about 1 cup beaten whites into chocolate mixture. Then fold chocolate mixture into remaining beaten whites. Transfer to prepared dish. Bake in a 350° oven 35 to 40 minutes or till a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Serve at once with whipped cream, if desired.
4. Amaretto Soufflé: Prepare as above, except omit chocolate pieces. Stir 1/4 cup amaretto and 1/4 cup finely chopped toasted almonds into the thickened milk mixture.