Indulge in a delightful and velvety carrot souffle that brings back the comforting flavors of the beloved Piccadilly Cafeteria. This dish is perfect for a family gathering or as a side to elevate your meal. With its sweet and creamy texture, it captures the essence of a classic dessert while incorporating wholesome vegetables.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are quite common, you might need to pay attention to baking powder and vanilla extract. These ingredients are often found in the baking aisle of your supermarket. Make sure you have a high-quality vanilla extract to enhance the flavor of your carrot souffle.
Ingredients for Copycat Piccadilly Cafeteria Carrot Souffle
carrots: The star of the dish, providing sweetness and a smooth texture.
sugar: Adds the necessary sweetness to balance the natural flavors of the carrots.
baking powder: Helps the souffle rise and achieve a fluffy texture.
vanilla extract: Imparts a rich, aromatic flavor to the dish.
eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add to the souffle's lightness.
margarine: Contributes to the creamy consistency and rich taste.
flour: Provides structure to the souffle, ensuring it holds its form.
One reader, Donall Mcnutt says:
This carrot souffle recipe is a delightful treat! It's perfectly sweet and fluffy, just like the original from Piccadilly Cafeteria. The blend of carrots and vanilla creates a comforting, nostalgic flavor. A must-try for anyone who loves a good, home-cooked dessert!
Techniques Required for Making Copycat Piccadilly Cafeteria Carrot Souffle Recipe
How to steam carrots: Fill a large pot with water just below the steamer basket. Add the carrots and steam them for 12 to 14 minutes or until very tender. How to blend ingredients: Place the steamed carrots, sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract, eggs, and margarine into a blender. Blend until the mixture is creamy with no chunks of carrots. How to combine flour: Add the flour to the blended mixture and pulse a couple of times until just combined.
How To Make Copycat Piccadilly Cafeteria Carrot Souffle Recipe
The carrots are steamed until tender, then blended with margarine, sugar, and vanilla to make this sweet and fluffy carrot souffle.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 3½lbscarrots,peeled
- 1½cupssugar
- 1tspbaking powder
- 1tbspvanilla extract
- 6eggs
- ½lbmargarine,or butter, softened
- ¼cupflour
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
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In a large pot filled to just below the steamer with water, add the carrots. Steam the carrots for 12 to 14 minutes or until very tender.
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Into a blender add the carrots, sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract, eggs, and margarine.
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Mix until everything is creamy with no chunks of carrots. Add in the flour and pulse a couple of times until just combined.
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Pour into a 13×9-inch casserole dish and bake for 1 hour until golden brown on top.
Nutrition
- Calories: 330.04kcal
- Fat: 17.64g
- Saturated Fat: 3.60g
- Trans Fat: 2.82g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 8.15g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.17g
- Carbohydrates: 40.17g
- Fiber: 3.78g
- Sugar: 31.44g
- Protein: 4.23g
- Cholesterol: 79.98mg
- Sodium: 276.08mg
- Calcium: 85.25mg
- Potassium: 461.33mg
- Iron: 0.88mg
- Vitamin A: 1139.09µg
- Vitamin C: 7.81mg
Crucial Technique for Perfecting Copycat Piccadilly Cafeteria Carrot Souffle
To ensure a smooth and creamy texture for your carrot souffle, make sure to steam the carrots until they are very tender. This will make it easier to blend them into a silky mixture without any chunks. Additionally, when adding the flour to the blender, pulse only a few times to avoid over-mixing, which can result in a denser souffle.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Carrot Souffle Recipe
Pre-steam the carrots: Steam the carrots in advance and store them in the fridge. This way, you can quickly blend them when you're ready to make the souffle.
Use a food processor: Instead of a blender, use a food processor to mix the ingredients. It’s faster and ensures a smoother consistency.
Measure ingredients ahead: Pre-measure the sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract, eggs, margarine, and flour. Store them in separate containers to save time during preparation.
Line the casserole dish: Line your casserole dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup and quick removal of the souffle.
Substitute Ingredients For Copycat Piccadilly Cafeteria Carrot Souffle Recipe
carrots - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes have a similar sweetness and texture when cooked, making them a good alternative for the souffle.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey provides a natural sweetness and adds a slight floral note to the dish.
baking powder - Substitute with baking soda and cream of tartar: Use 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar for each teaspoon of baking powder needed.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract offers a different but complementary flavor profile to the souffle.
eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg. This works well as a binding agent.
margarine - Substitute with butter: Butter provides a richer flavor and similar texture, making it an excellent substitute.
flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can thicken the mixture similarly to flour, though you may need to use slightly less.
Presentation Ideas for Copycat Piccadilly Cafeteria Carrot Souffle
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the carrot souffle in individual ramekins rather than a large casserole dish. This not only elevates the presentation but also allows for precise portion control.
Use decoration: Garnish each ramekin with a delicate sprig of fresh mint or a light dusting of powdered sugar to add a touch of elegance and contrast to the vibrant orange color of the souffle.
Enhance texture: Add a thin layer of crème fraîche or a dollop of whipped cream on top of the souffle just before serving. This adds a creamy texture that complements the light and airy nature of the dish.
Incorporate color contrast: Serve the souffle on a white porcelain plate with a drizzle of raspberry coulis around the base. The bright red coulis will create a striking visual contrast with the orange souffle.
Add a crunch element: Sprinkle a few candied pecans or caramelized walnuts on top of the souffle for an added layer of texture and a hint of sweetness.
Use elegant serving utensils: Provide a silver dessert spoon or a gold-plated fork alongside the ramekin to enhance the luxurious feel of the dish.
Create a thematic presentation: Place the ramekin on a small wooden board or a slate platter with a few decorative elements like edible flowers or microgreens to create a cohesive and visually appealing presentation.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Copycat Piccadilly Cafeteria Carrot Souffle Recipe
- Let the carrot souffle cool completely before storing or freezing.
- To store in the refrigerator, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the souffle to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the carrot souffle:
- Cut the souffle into individual portions and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil.
- Place the wrapped portions in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
- Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
- To reheat the frozen carrot souffle:
- Thaw the desired number of portions in the refrigerator overnight.
- Remove the plastic wrap and foil, and place the portions in a baking dish.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave, covered, on 50% power for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir gently halfway through reheating to ensure even heating.
- Enjoy your reheated copycat Piccadilly Cafeteria carrot souffle as a delicious side dish or a comforting dessert.
How To Reheat Leftover Carrot Souffle
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover carrot soufflé in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. The foil will help prevent the top from drying out or burning while the inside warms up.
For a quicker option, you can use the microwave. Transfer a portion of the carrot soufflé to a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. The damp paper towel will help maintain moisture and prevent the soufflé from drying out.
If you want to add a crispy top to your reheated carrot soufflé, place it under the broiler for a minute or two after reheating it in the oven or microwave. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
For a stovetop method, place a portion of the carrot soufflé in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Cover the skillet with a lid and heat for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and prevent sticking.
If the leftover carrot soufflé seems a bit dry after reheating, you can stir in a small amount of milk, cream, or butter to restore moisture and improve the texture.
Interesting Trivia About Carrot Souffle
A fun fact about this recipe is that the carrot souffle from Piccadilly Cafeteria is a beloved Southern dish that combines the sweetness of carrots with a light, fluffy texture, making it a popular choice for both side dishes and desserts.
Is Making Carrot Souffle at Home Cost-Effective?
This carrot souffle recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. Carrots are generally inexpensive, and the other ingredients like sugar, eggs, and flour are pantry staples. The use of margarine instead of butter also keeps costs down. Overall, I would rate this recipe an 8 out of 10 for cost-effectiveness. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $10-$12 USD.
Is This Carrot Souffle Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
This recipe for carrot soufflé is not particularly healthy due to several factors:
- High sugar content: with 1½ cups of sugar, this dish is very high in added sugars, which can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues.
- High fat content: the recipe calls for ½ lb of margarine, which is a significant amount of saturated fat. Excessive saturated fat intake is linked to increased risk of heart disease.
- Low in fiber: although carrots are naturally high in fiber, the blending process breaks down the fiber, making it less beneficial for digestive health.
- Large portion size: a 13x9-inch casserole dish yields a large amount of the soufflé, which could lead to overeating.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Reduce the sugar content by half or more, depending on personal taste preferences. You can also experiment with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
- Replace the margarine with a healthier fat source, such as olive oil or coconut oil. This will help reduce the saturated fat content.
- Incorporate some whole carrots or other vegetables into the dish to increase the fiber content. You can also add a sprinkle of nuts or seeds on top for extra fiber and healthy fats.
- Use a smaller baking dish or portion out the soufflé into individual servings to control portion sizes.
- Consider adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to enhance the flavor without relying on excessive sugar.
Editor's Opinion on This Copycat Carrot Souffle Recipe
This carrot soufflé recipe is a delightful blend of sweet and savory, perfect for a comforting side dish. The use of steamed carrots ensures a tender texture, while the combination of sugar and vanilla adds a pleasant sweetness. The eggs and margarine contribute to a rich, creamy consistency, and the baking powder helps achieve a light, airy soufflé. The flour binds everything together seamlessly. Baking it until golden brown gives it an appealing finish. Overall, it's a well-balanced dish that captures the essence of a classic Piccadilly Cafeteria favorite.
Enhance Your Copycat Piccadilly Cafeteria Carrot Souffle Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Similar Recipes to Copycat Piccadilly Cafeteria Carrot Souffle
Recommended Appetizers and Entrees to Serve with This Carrot Souffle Recipe
Why trust this Copycat Piccadilly Cafeteria Carrot Souffle Recipe:
This carrot souffle recipe is a trusted favorite, replicating the beloved Piccadilly Cafeteria dish. With simple ingredients like carrots, sugar, and eggs, it delivers a delightful, fluffy texture and rich flavor. The step-by-step instructions ensure consistent results, making it perfect for both novice and experienced cooks. Enjoy a nostalgic, restaurant-quality dish right at home.
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