Kamil Perry
Whole cauliflower with cheese sauce is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a side or main course. This recipe involves boiling or roasting a whole cauliflower, coating it in a rich cheese sauce, and baking it to perfection. The cheese sauce, also known as Mornay sauce, is a combination of butter, flour, milk, and grated cheese, seasoned with mustard, paprika, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. The result is a creamy, cheesy dish that can be customised with additional ingredients like bacon, caramelised onions, or herbs. This impressive meal is perfect for sharing with friends and family, and with a few simple steps, you can create a flavourful and comforting dish.
Characteristics and their values:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking method | Baking |
| Oven temperature | 220°C / 430°F (200°C) or 210°C/190°C fan/gas 7 or 425°F (220°C) |
| Ingredients | Cauliflower, Butter, Flour, Milk, Cheese, Salt, Pepper, Olive oil, Water |
| Cheese sauce ingredients | Butter, Flour, Milk, Cheese, Salt, Pepper, Nutmeg, Mustard, Paprika, Breadcrumbs |
| Cheese options | Red Leicester, Cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan |
| Additional ingredients | Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Bacon, Pancetta, Caramelised onions, Roasted garlic |
| Preparation time | 10 minutes |
| Baking time | 20-30 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
How to make the cheese sauce
To make a cheese sauce, you will need butter, flour, milk, and cheese. Some recipes suggest adding spices such as nutmeg, garlic powder, cayenne, mustard, or onion. You can also add cream for a more luxurious finish.
First, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Then, whisk in the flour until smooth, and cook for 2-3 minutes. This mixture of butter and flour is called a roux, and it will help thicken the sauce. Make sure the mixture doesn't brown, as you want a white sauce.
Next, slowly pour in the milk while continuously whisking to ensure a lump-free sauce. Keep stirring over the heat for about 1 minute, and the sauce will thicken.
Now, it's time to add the cheese. Stir it into the sauce until it's well combined and melted. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Red Leicester, Gruyere, Parmesan, or Monterey Jack. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add some cream cheese for extra creaminess. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Finally, pour the sauce over your roasted cauliflower, and sprinkle some extra cheese on top. You can also add breadcrumbs for a crunchy texture. Bake it in the oven until the cheese is golden brown and enjoy your delicious cauliflower with cheese sauce!
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How to prepare the cauliflower
To prepare the cauliflower, start by washing it and removing the leaves. You can then choose to cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets or cook it as a whole head. If you opt for florets, try to keep them relatively even in size so they cook at the same rate.
If you're cooking the whole head, place the cauliflower in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes. Drain the water, then place the whole cauliflower in a shallow baking dish. If you're cooking florets, you can skip the boiling step and simply place them in an ovenproof dish.
Before roasting, season the cauliflower. Drizzle olive oil, salt, pepper, and cayenne over the florets, tossing to coat them evenly. You can also add other seasonings like garlic, thyme, or sage for extra flavour.
Roast the cauliflower in a preheated oven at 220°C for 20 minutes if cooking florets. For a whole head, roast for about 30 minutes until golden and cooked through. The cauliflower should be crispy and golden when done.
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How to assemble the dish
To assemble this dish, start by placing the whole cauliflower in a large pot and covering it with water. Bring the water to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes. Drain the water and transfer the boiled cauliflower to a shallow baking dish.
Next, make the cheese sauce. Start by melting butter in a separate saucepan over low heat. Add flour and combine, stirring for a minute to fry the mixture. Gradually add milk, stirring well between each addition. Once all the milk has been added, let the sauce simmer until it thickens. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add mustard, grated cheese, paprika, salt, pepper, and nutmeg (optional). Stir in half of the grated Parmesan cheese.
Slowly pour the cheese sauce over the boiled cauliflower in the baking dish, allowing it to pool at the bottom. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
Finally, bake the dish in the oven for about 20 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown and the cauliflower is cooked through. Serve immediately.
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What to serve the dish with
Whole roasted cauliflower with cheese sauce is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or main course.
If you're serving it as a side, it pairs well with grilled meat like steak, chicken, or lamb. For a vegetarian option, try serving it with a grilled halloumi burger. You can also serve it with other vegetables, like roasted chicken, mac and cheese, or a lentil salad.
If you're serving the whole roasted cauliflower as a main dish, it can be a great vegan option when served with tahini sauce, herbs, and nuts. You can also add shredded cheese on top and broil until it's melted and browned. For a non-vegan option, top it with Parmesan cheese.
To elevate the dish, you can serve it on a bed of sweet and smoky romesco sauce, made by blending roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic, sherry vinegar, olive oil, and salt.
Some other main course options to serve with whole roasted cauliflower include:
- Slow cooker Greek chicken
- Crockpot wild rice stuffing
- Roasted green beans
- Sautéed carrots
- Lemon rice or turmeric rice
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How to store leftovers
If you have any leftovers of your whole roasted cauliflower with cheese sauce, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 3 to 4 days. When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, simply pop them in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. Avoid reheating the dish in the microwave, as it will make the cauliflower soggy.
If you're looking for a new way to enjoy your leftovers, you can try making cauliflower fritters. They are an excellent way to use up leftover roasted cauliflower and are quick and easy to make. You can also add your own twist to the fritters by seasoning them with spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, or turmeric.
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Frequently asked questions
You should boil the cauliflower for 5-10 minutes, until it is tender but still fairly firm.
You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, gruyere, parmesan, or Red Leicester.
Yes, you can make it up to 48 hours in advance and store it in the fridge. It can also be frozen but may affect the texture.
Cauliflower cheese can be served as a side dish with roast beef, lamb, or chicken. It also goes well with broccoli or kale.
Melt butter in a saucepan, add flour and cook for a few minutes. Then, slowly add milk, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens. Finally, add the cheese and stir until melted.
Tips:
- You can add nutmeg to your sauce for extra flavour.
- For a crunchy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs or small pieces of bread over the cauliflower before adding the cheese.
- If your sauce is too thick, thin it with some chicken stock or milk.
