There's a lot to pack into this post. First things first. This is the only way my mother had a hope of my brother and me eating cauliflower. We actually LOVED this - far from tasting like boiled cauliflower (ugh) it is a cheesy, creamy delight. Even my picky eater eats this - she thought it was macaroni cheese! It was a staple growing up and I'm always amused by watching my children and husband devour this. It's also easy and quick. It's a win - win.
1 large cauliflower - or 2 small ones
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup (heaped) all purpose flour
salt and pepper
3 cups milk
1 cup of heavy cream (you can just use 4 cups milk - skimmed if you want - or course it won't be quite as luscious without the cream)
1 heaped teaspoon Dijon mustard (a little more if you want more of a bite)
Pinch of nutmeg
6 oz of strong British cheddar (all self respecting British women would use cheddar - although I have to confess I had been wiped out and only had Gruyere - so I used that and it was delicious)
1 heaped tablespoon Parmesan
1 heaped tablespoon dried breadcrumbs
Heat the oven to 375F
Put a medium saucepan half filled with water on to boil.
Cut your cauliflower into florets.
Boil them for approx 5 minutes - not quite cooked through.
Drain and place in an oven proof dish.
In a saucepan heat the butter until foaming.
Heat the flour and cream mixture in the microwave until hot.
Add the flour and mustard to the butter and stir.
Add the milk, splash by splash, stirring until thoroughly combine and you have a smooth sauce.
Add the grated cheese, pepper and nutmeg and stir until smooth.
Pour the sauce over the steamed cauliflower.
Mix together the Parmesan and the breadcrumbs and sprinkle over the top.
Place on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for approx 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is is bubbling and golden and the cauliflower is completely cooked through.
Remove from oven and cook for 5 minutes or so.
I was very excited to be included in a wonderful Polish blog
http://www.dobrapolskaszkola.com/
They also very kindly made some beautiful artwork to advertise my blog - don't you think it's lovely?! I just wish my waist was really that size!
Stephenie of the lovely Greenthyme blog.
http://greenthyme.blogspot.com/
Hi Mary! I love the blog advertisement. So cute.
ReplyDeleteMy family loves cauliflower and I actually just roasted some last night along with some brussels.
I will give this a try as it's looks to be very decadent. I may not be able to switch my kids back to simple roasted cauliflower after they eat this dish!
Happy Thursday :)
This dish sounds absolutely delicious. I've never enjoyed cauliflower before; but after trying it roasted a few weeks ago, I'm willing to try different methods of cooking it now.
ReplyDeleteWe love cauliflower and I think my Polish husband might find the blog you mentioned interesting.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
This dish looks so comforting and lovely! Congrats to Stephenie!
ReplyDeleteI cannot say enough in support of this recipe. I don't often copy anything, but this one I will. Within days!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm quite lousy in my cauliflower cooking and love all the technique you have shared. I will try making this dish when the cauliflower season is back at down-under.
ReplyDeleteCute advertisement :)
ReplyDeleteThe cauliflower looks amazing, that would go over big in my house!
Congrats to the winner!
Congratulations on the "international expansion". Thats a cool picture.
ReplyDeleteThat meal sounds delicious, cauliflower has been almost completely bullied. Thats one way to encourage non-cauli lovers to eat cauli.
Cauliflower + Gruyere??? are you kidding??? YUM.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great looking cauliflower dish!
ReplyDeleteLove your ad Mary. It's very nice and as for the Cauliflower Cheese, it's a real favourite in our house! Yours looks delicious! xxoo
ReplyDeleteI make a similar cauliflower dish that my mom used to make and it's one of our favorites. I usually use cheddar too, but the gruyere looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome! We love cauliflower and this puts it over the top=special way to cook it for the holidays or a group of people
ReplyDeleteBeing someone that doesn't like cauliflower unless it's deep fried, this might be another great way to get me to eat it. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat blog advertisement! Pretty much adorable :)
ReplyDeleteAnd your cauliflower looks amaaaazing! That's actually how my friend Debbie got me to first eat it...making me think it was mac 'n cheese
Oh my. That looks delicious! I've never been a huge fan of cauliflower, but I have no doubt that this would quickly change that!
ReplyDeleteYears ago I had Cauliflower Gratin and loved it. I tried to find recipes to duplicate what I'd tasted and actually this looks very similar to what I tried. I look forward to trying this. It makes my mouth water just looking at it.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
I really hate cauliflower too! But looking at this cheesy delight, I can't wait to go try it! :) Absolutely lovely photographs!
ReplyDelete-
Kavi
(Edible Entertainment)
A great way to cook cauliflower!Great advertisement!Many kisses,dear Mary!
ReplyDeleteMy sister in law makes something similar to this and I absolutely love it! Delicious post
ReplyDeleteLoved this cheesy cauliflowers recipe. First time here and loving the way you write about food Mary!!!
ReplyDeleteeven though i'm not a big fan of cauliflower, i wouldnt say no to this dish! that ad is really cute!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so wonderful. I often forget about cauliflower. I need to branch out and give it a try more often. So excited to be the winner! I just noticed my name and blog after reading this post. What a lovely surprise. Thanks so much Mary for offering a giveaway! :)
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