Easy Entertaining: Spinach & Chicken Souffle

When it comes to entertaining, I look for recipes that are not too complex, easy to prep, and delightfully aesthetic when served. This recipe, a variation on Giada's, takes about 30 minutes to prepare and make, and then an hour to bake. The aroma in the kitchen five minutes after the souffle goes into the oven is fantastic and the taste is equally wonderful

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, then grease a souffle dish generously with butter. Set aside.

Step One: In a sauce pan, melt half a stick of butter and mix with 1/4 cup of flour. Once it is well blended together add 1 & 1/2 cups of milk and continue to whisk until all the lumps are gone.

Step Two: Add to the mixture 2 cups of cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan, 2 cups of baby spinach leaves, 2 pounds of cooked, shredded chicken, three slices of white bread chopped into one-inch cubes, 6 egg yolks (save the whites), and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.


Step Three: Beat the six egg whites until firm with little peaks, then fold into the spinach and chicken mixture.

Step Four: Pour the mixture into the souffle dish and bake about an hour, until golden brown.

Serves 6 (or 4 really hungry people)