Andy Montoya
Cauliflower cheese is a classic comfort food and a delicious side dish. It's oozy, creamy, and indulgent. The recipe involves making a cheese sauce, coating the cauliflower in it, and then baking the dish in the oven. The sauce is made by cooking butter and flour over a gentle heat, then adding milk, and finally stirring in the cheese. The cauliflower can be boiled or roasted before baking, and the dish can be made vegan by using plant-based milk and vegan cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5 or 220C/200C/gas 7 or 425 degrees F |
| Sauce ingredients | Butter, flour, milk, cheese, mustard |
| Sauce preparation | Melt butter, add flour, cook for 1-3 minutes, add milk, stir, bring to boil, stir in cheese |
| Cauliflower preparation | Wash, boil for 3-5 minutes, drain, add to ovenproof dish |
| Baking time | 20-30 minutes |
| Baking preparation | Pour sauce over cauliflower, add breadcrumbs, bake |
Explore related products
$13.75 $19.95
$12.68 $14.99
What You'll Learn
How to make a cheese sauce
A cheese sauce is a great way to add flavour and texture to a variety of dishes, and it is a key component of cauliflower cheese. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious cheese sauce.
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Grated Cheddar Cheese
Step 1:
Start by melting some butter in a saucepan over a medium-low heat. The amount of butter used can vary depending on your preference, but typically, 50g is a good starting point.
Step 2:
Once the butter is melted, add in the flour. For every 50g of butter, use 4 tablespoons of flour. Cook this mixture for a few minutes, stirring constantly. This step cooks the raw flour and creates a roux, which is the base for your sauce. Ensure the heat is low to avoid browning the mixture; we want to keep it light in colour.
Step 3:
Now it's time to add the milk. Slowly pour in 500ml of milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Keep the sauce on the heat and continue stirring. You will notice that the sauce will start to thicken as it heats up.
Step 4:
Once the sauce has thickened, it's time to add the cheese. Remove the saucepan from the heat and gradually stir in the grated cheddar cheese. The amount of cheese can vary depending on your taste, but typically, 100g is a good starting point. The cheese will melt into the sauce and add a delicious, creamy texture.
Step 5:
Keep stirring the sauce until all the cheese has melted and you have a smooth, thick, and creamy cheese sauce.
And there you have it! A simple and delicious cheese sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes, including the indulgent cauliflower cheese.
Whole Milk in Cabot Cheese Bars: What's the Truth?
You may want to see also
Preparing the cauliflower
Some recipes suggest roasting the cauliflower instead of boiling it. To do this, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a large rimmed pan or line it with parchment paper. Place the cauliflower florets on the prepared pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat the florets evenly, then roast for 20-25 minutes until they are lightly golden brown. Roasting the cauliflower adds a different flavour and texture to the dish.
Once the cauliflower is prepared, you can start making the cheese sauce.
Strained Yogurt's Cheesy Transformation: A Culinary Adventure
You may want to see also
Oven temperature and timings
Once your oven is preheated, you can begin preparing your cauliflower cheese. If you are making a standard cauliflower cheese, start by washing the cauliflower and placing it in a large saucepan of salted water. Bring the water to a boil and cook the cauliflower for 3-5 minutes, until it is almost tender but still firm. Drain the cauliflower and transfer it to an ovenproof dish.
For the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan and add flour. Cook this mixture over a gentle heat for about 1 minute. Then, gradually add milk, whisking continuously to ensure a lump-free sauce. Keep stirring the sauce over the heat until it thickens. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in most of your grated cheese. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower in the ovenproof dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, along with breadcrumbs if desired.
Place the cauliflower cheese in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes. The dish is ready when the cheese sauce is bubbling and the top is golden brown.
If you are making a vegan cauliflower cheese, the process is slightly different. Start by placing the cauliflower on a prepared pan, drizzling it with olive oil, and sprinkling it with salt and pepper. Roast the cauliflower for 20-25 minutes at 425 degrees F until it is lightly golden brown. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F while the cauliflower roasts.
While the cauliflower is roasting, prepare the vegan cheese sauce by soaking cashews in boiling water for 5 minutes to a few hours. Drain the cashews and add them to a blender with vegetable broth, milk, nutritional yeast, and salt. Blend until smooth.
After removing the roasted cauliflower from the oven, smother it with the vegan cheese sauce and return it to the oven to bake until the sauce is bubbling and golden.
The Art of Cheese and Ham: Ingredients and Mastery
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Adding extra ingredients
While cauliflower cheese is delicious on its own, you can experiment with adding extra ingredients to elevate the dish even further. For a vegetarian option, try adding some roasted pumpkin or broccoli to the mix before baking. If you're a fan of spicy food, a teaspoon of dry mustard or a teaspoon or two of Dijon mustard can add a nice kick to the cheese sauce. You can also try adding some roasted garlic, onion powder, or garlic powder for extra flavour.
For those who enjoy a heartier meal, crispy bacon pieces, cooked chopped chicken, or even salmon can be mixed in before baking. If you're looking for a vegetarian protein option, try adding some cooked chickpeas or white beans to the mix. You can even throw in some raw red bell pepper when blending the cooked sauce for a colourful and nutritious boost.
If you're making vegan cauliflower cheese, there are plenty of options for customisation as well. Soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, and vegetable broth can be blended together to create a creamy, cheesy sauce. A drizzle of black truffle oil can also take the dish to the next level. For a crunchy texture, sprinkle on some panko crumbs and broil after baking.
No matter which ingredients you choose to add, remember to adjust the quantities based on your personal preferences and the number of servings you're preparing. Get creative and don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your perfect cauliflower cheese recipe!
Cheetos Cheese Puffs: The Making of a Crunchy Treat
You may want to see also
Vegan alternatives
Vegan cauliflower cheese is a popular alternative to the classic dish. It is made by roasting cauliflower florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and then smothering them in a vegan cheese sauce. The dish is then baked until golden and crispy.
There are several ways to make the vegan cheese sauce. One option is to use a high-powered blender to create a cashew cheese sauce. Another option is to make a vegan béchamel sauce by whisking together melted vegan butter and flour over medium heat, and then slowly adding in hot plant milk. Nutritional yeast, dijon mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt can be added to the sauce for a cheesier flavour. Tapioca starch can also be added to make the sauce stretchier.
The roasted cauliflower is then placed in an oven-proof dish and covered with the cheese sauce. The dish is baked at 200-220°C for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce is golden and bubbly.
Vegan cauliflower cheese can be served as a side or main dish and is a delicious and indulgent vegan option. It is also a great way to enjoy cauliflower in a new and exciting way.
Goldfish Cheese: What's the Secret Ingredient?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You will need cauliflower, butter, flour, milk, and cheese.
First, wash the cauliflower and boil it for 3-5 minutes. Then, drain the water and transfer the cauliflower to an ovenproof dish. Next, make the cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, adding flour, and then slowly adding milk while whisking. Finally, add cheese to the sauce, pour the sauce over the cauliflower, and bake in the oven.
The boiling and baking steps each take around 3-5 minutes and 20-30 minutes, respectively. Therefore, the total time to make cauliflower cheese is around 25-40 minutes.
