Wolfgang Puck Recipes

	Fold the flour and raisins into the "kaiser" base.
	Brush sauté pans first with butter.
	Sprinkle sauté pan with sugar.
	Fold the meringue into the "kaiser" base.
	Carefully scoop chunks of the Kaiserschmarren over the strawberry sauce.

Kaiserschmarren

Serves 4 to 8

This is my version of an Austrian classic which is normally prepared as a pancake. But we make it as a soufflé, making it lighter, fluffier and more refined. The key to success with this spectacular dish is folding in the meringue perfectly — don’t overmix and don’t undermix! As soon as the meringue is combined it’s ready to bake in a hot oven.

Ingredients

4 egg yolks
4-1/2 ounces sugar
1/4 cup crème fraîche
1 ounce dark rum
4 teaspoons flour
2 tablespoons plumped golden raisins
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, for brushing
2 tablespoons sugar, for coating
3 egg whites
1 recipe strawberry sauce
1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled, cut in halves

Strawberry Sauce (Makes about 1-1/2 cups):

1/2 pound strawberries, hulled
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 whole star anise
1/2 tablespoon orange zest
Juice of 1/2 orange
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Prepare the kaiser base. In the mixer bowl, combine the egg yolks and 3 ounces of sugar. Mix over medium speed, with the wire whisk, until pale yellow. Add the créme fraiche and rum. Continue to mix until smooth. Fold in the flour and raisins. This can be prepared up to 1 day in advance.
Preheat the oven to 425° F. Brush a 6-inch sauté pan with butter and sprinkle with sugar.
To make the Kaiserschmarren, in a separate mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks. Add the remaining 1-1/2 ounces of sugar and continue to whip until stiff but not dry. Fold the meringue into the kaiser base. Spoon 1/4 of the souffled mixture into the sauté pan. Bake for 12 minutes. Repeat three more times, until all the batter is used.

Strawberry Sauce:

Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cover with plastic wrap. Allow flavor to infuse for 10 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a blender and process until well incorporated. Strain. This can be prepared up to 3 days ahead.

To serve, in a medium saucepan, reheat the Strawberry Sauce. Add the fresh strawberries and toss until well coated. Spoon sauce over each serving plate. Divide the Kaiserschmarren with a spatula into large chunks, and arrange on top of the strawberry sauce so it looks a little like the Austrian alps.

Wine Recommendation:

The spicy fruit in a classic Austrian or Alsatian Gewurtzraminer is the perfect foil for this ambitious dessert. I like the wines of Hugel, and Dopff and Orion, both from Alsace.