Spinach & Cheese Souffle

Recipe from Village Green Lodge.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter    
1/4 cup flour    
1 cup milk      
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese  
4 eggs, separated    
1/2 tsp cream of tartar      
1 (10 oz) pkg frozen chopped spinach,thawed and drained
1/4 tsp dry mustard  
dash cayenne pepper

Optional - add one or several:

1/2 cup crumbled bacon
1/4 cup chopped onions, sautéed
1/4 cup chopped mushrooms, sautéed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 quart round baking dish with non stick spray.

In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, melt 1 /4 cup butter.  Stir in flour.  Cook, stirring constantly until smooth and bubbly.  Stir in milk.  Cook and stir until mixture boils and is smooth and thickened.  Stir in dry mustard and if desired, dash of cayenne pepper. Stir in cheese until melted. Stir beaten egg yolks into cheese sauce mixture. Add desired optional ingredients, stir well and set aside.

In large mixing bowl at high speed, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until stiff.  Gently but thoroughly fold egg yolk cheese sauce mixture into whites.  Pour into prepared dish.

Bake until puffy and golden brown, about 30-40 minutes.  Serve immediately.