Asiago, Artichoke & Spinach Souffle

Position rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 375 degrees F. Coat eight 10-ounce ramekins or a 2 1/2-quart souffle dish (or similar-size baking dish) with cooking spray. Sprinkle with enough breadcrumbs to generously coat the inside, tilting to evenly distribute; tap out excess. Place ramekins on a baking sheet.

Pat artichoke bottoms dry, chop and then pat dry again. Press thawed spinach in a fine sieve until very dry, then finely chop. Combine the chopped artichoke and spinach in a bowl with Asiago (or Parmesan) and pepper.

Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until steaming. Melt butter and oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking, for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the hot milk and cook over medium-low heat, whisking, until the mixture is the consistency of thick batter, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in egg yolks, one at a time, until incorporated. Whisk in the artichoke-spinach mixture.

Clean and dry a large mixing bowl and beaters, making sure there are no traces of oil. (Any fat in your egg whites may prevent your souffle from rising properly.) Beat egg whites in the bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until foamy. Add salt; gradually increase speed to high and beat until shiny and stiff, but not dry. Do not overbeat: stop when the egg whites hold their shape in the bowl and on the beater but don't look overly dry or lumpy.

Using a rubber spatula, stir one-third of the whites into the egg-yolk mixture to lighten it. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites just until evenly distributed. It's OK if a few white streaks remain. Spoon the batter into the prepared dish(es).

Bake until puffed and firm to the touch, 20 to 24 minutes for 10-ounce souffles, 38 to 42 minutes for a 2 1/2-quart souffle. (Resist the temptation to take a peek until the last 5 minutes of baking--an open oven door will let in too much cool air and may interrupt the rising.) Once out of the oven, even a beautifully puffed souffle will slowly deflate, so go directly to the table to show off its beauty, then serve it at once.