• 2 1/2 tsp. butter
• 1 Tbsp. grated Parmesan
• 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup milk
• Large pinch of salt
• Small pinch of paprika
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 egg whites
• 1/3 cup grated cheese such as Cheddar or Swiss, tightly packed

Smear 1/2 teaspoon softened butter around inside of a soufflé dish, and sprinkle Parmesan over it. Preheat oven to 425°.

Melt 2 teaspoons butter in a small pot, and stir in flour. Let cook over low heat for a minute, then remove from heat. Pour in milk, whisking vigorously, and return pot to medium-low heat to simmer for a minute, stirring constantly as the sauce thickens. Season with salt and paprika. Remove from heat, and whisk in egg yolk.

Put egg whites in a clean bowl and beat until they form soft peaks. Add a dollop of egg whites to pot, and mix in along with about half of grated cheese. Fold in remaining egg whites and cheese; transfer everything to the prepared soufflé dish. Place dish on a baking sheet, and set it in the middle of the oven. Turn heat down to 375°, and bake 18 minutes, until soufflé has risen and top is lightly browned.

Adapted from The Pleasures of Cooking for One, by Judith Jones, copyright © 2009, with permission from the publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc.