Even three decades after her tragic passing, Princess Diana remains a cherished figure worldwide. From popular TV shows like “The Crown” to the acclaimed film “Spencer” starring Kristen Stewart, the fascination with the “people’s princess” endures. “Spencer” delves into the royal family’s Christmas traditions at Sandringham House, focusing on Princess Di’s strained ties with her family and her close bond with the staff, including the Queen’s chef, Darren McGrady.
Following her divorce, McGrady became Princess Diana’s personal chef during her time at Kensington Palace. After her passing, McGrady published a cookbook and launched a YouTube channel sharing the royal family’s preferred dishes, including the dessert that Princess Diana adored, highlighted in “Spencer.”
In the film, McGrady, portrayed by Sean Harris, expresses his frustration at not being able to make crepes soufflé d’abricots for Princess Diana. He recalls the elaborate steps he took to ensure Princess Di could enjoy her favorite dessert, even if it meant outsmarting the Queen’s preferences by including an alternative option.
Princess Diana’s love for the light and fluffy crepes soufflé topped with apricot jam was undeniable. McGrady reveals that she would often visit the kitchen post-dinner for seconds while chatting with the chef.
McGrady has generously shared the recipe for Princess Diana’s cherished dessert on his YouTube channel, emphasizing its simplicity. The crepes soufflé can be prepared in individual ramekins or ring molds for a delightful presentation.
To recreate Princess Di’s favorite treat, gather eggs, butter, milk, sugar, flour, and cream for the soufflé, along with apricot jam for the glaze. McGrady suggests experimenting with different fruit flavors if apricot isn’t to your liking.
Before you embark on the recipe, preheat the oven and ensure the baking vessels are adequately heated. The key is to achieve a hot surface for the batter to begin cooking promptly to prevent leaks.
Whisk together the base ingredients, including egg yolks, whole eggs, butter, milk, sugar, flour, and cream. Beat the egg whites separately until stiff peaks form, then fold them into the mixture gently.
Serve the crepes soufflé warm with a dollop of apricot jam, savoring each bite of this beloved dessert that captured Princess Diana’s heart.
Carefully incorporate the whipped egg whites into the batter by gently folding them in. Spoon the mixture into the individual molds and bake for 8 to 10 minutes if using four-inch molds, or 20 to 25 minutes if using a larger baking dish. Keep an eye on the soufflés as they bake until they have puffed up and turned a lovely golden brown hue. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat the apricot jam until it reaches a boiling point. Once heated through, strain the jam glaze using a fine mesh strainer to remove any lumps or chunks.
When the soufflés are ready, generously top them with lashings of the warm apricot jam. Serve and relish in the delightful flavors straight from the oven. And remember, just like for Princess Diana, feel free to indulge in seconds—it’s always encouraged. For more delectable recipes, check out the original article on ALLRECIPES.
