Serves 6
80 min
Cauliflower Cheese
Recipe GLPR749f125b77b47f
A classic comfort food featuring tender cauliflower florets baked in a rich, creamy cheddar cheese sauce with warm spices. The dish is finished with a golden melted cheese topping for an irresistible gratinéed result. Perfect for a satisfying vegetarian main course.
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Ingredients
125 g butter
2 large heads cauliflower, cut into florets
¾ cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk, heated
1 bay leaf
2 black peppercorns
1 cup grated mature cheddar cheese
½ teaspoon ground white pepper
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch cayenne pepper
to taste salt
Directions
Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C). Prepare the cauliflower by cutting it into even-sized florets and set aside.
In a small saucepan, heat the milk gently with the bay leaf and peppercorns until steaming, then set aside to infuse.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk constantly for about 1-2 minutes to create a smooth paste (roux), being careful not to brown it.
Slowly pour the warm milk through a fine strainer into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Continue whisking until you have a smooth base.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the sauce, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes until it thickens noticeably and the raw flour taste disappears.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the nutmeg, white pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste. Then fold in the cheddar cheese, stirring until it melts completely into the sauce.
Transfer the cauliflower florets to a greased ovenproof casserole dish and pour the cheese sauce evenly over them, stirring gently to coat.
Cover the dish tightly with greased foil and bake for 30-45 minutes until the cauliflower is tender when pierced with a fork.
Carefully remove the foil and sprinkle an additional ½ cup of grated cheddar over the top of the cauliflower.
Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the cheese topping is golden and bubbling at the edges.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
