Bushra Griffith
Cauliflower cheese is a delicious comfort food that can be made in a variety of ways. While it can be made from scratch, it is also possible to make it using frozen cauliflower, which is a convenient and economical option. However, cooking with frozen cauliflower can be tricky as it tends to get soggy. To avoid this, it is recommended to cook the frozen cauliflower until just tender, and then let it stand to drain excess water. The cauliflower can then be cooked further by roasting, sautéing, steaming, or microwaving. Additionally, the sauce for cauliflower cheese can be made with a variety of ingredients, such as mascarpone, plain flour, milk, and cheese.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Cauliflower Cheese from Frozen
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven Temperature | 180C/350F or 425F |
| Cooking Time | 6-10 minutes |
| Water | 1/4 cup of water for every 1/2 pound (8 ounces) |
| Microwave Time | 4-5 minutes |
| Sauce | Creme fraiche, mascarpone, plain flour, milk, grated Parmesan, wholegrain mustard |
| Seasonings | Lemon juice |
| Toppings | Cheese, crispy onion |
| Notes | Avoid soggy cauliflower by removing excess water and not thawing on the countertop or in the fridge |
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What You'll Learn
Boil and steam cauliflower
To cook cauliflower cheese from frozen, you can first boil or steam the cauliflower. Here is a step-by-step guide to boiling and steaming cauliflower:
- Start by adding 1/4 cup of water for every 1/2 pound (8 ounces) of frozen cauliflower to a pot or saucepan.
- Cover the pot and cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes, until the ice from the cauliflower melts.
- Transfer the partially cooked cauliflower to a colander and shake off any excess moisture.
- Wipe down the pot or saucepan to remove any remaining water droplets.
- Add a small amount of oil to the pot and heat it over medium-high heat.
- Put the drained cauliflower back into the pot and saute for 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to toss the cauliflower too much during this step.
- Transfer the sauteed cauliflower to a steamer basket and place it over a pot of boiling water.
- Cover the steamer basket and cook the cauliflower for an additional 3-4 minutes, until it is tender.
- Remove the steamed cauliflower from the heat and transfer it to a serving bowl.
Once the cauliflower is boiled and steamed, it can be used in your cauliflower cheese recipe. Note that this method is for frozen cauliflower and may not apply to fresh cauliflower.
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Make the sauce
To make the sauce for cauliflower cheese using frozen cauliflower, you can follow a few simple steps. First, cook the frozen cauliflower florets in a pan of boiling water for about 5 minutes until they are tender. You can also steam the cauliflower or microwave it. It is important to avoid overcooking, as frozen cauliflower cooks faster than fresh due to being pre-blanched. Drain the water and let the cauliflower steam-dry.
Next, you will want to make a cheese sauce to pour over the cauliflower. A basic cheese sauce can be made by heating butter in a pan, adding flour to create a roux, and then gradually adding milk to create a smooth sauce. You can then add cheese to this sauce, or simply mix creme fraiche with cheese for a quicker option.
For a more complex sauce, you could try whisking together mascarpone, plain flour, milk, grated Parmesan, and wholegrain mustard in a large saucepan. Heat this through, add the cooked cauliflower, and stir everything together. Transfer to an ovenproof dish, sprinkle with a little more Parmesan, and place under a hot grill until golden and crisp.
If you are making a larger batch, it is recommended to cook the sauce and cauliflower separately and then mix them together just before serving to prevent the dish from becoming soggy.
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Combine and grill
To cook cauliflower cheese from frozen, you can steam, roast, sauté, or microwave the frozen cauliflower. Here is a step-by-step guide for the 'combine and grill' method:
Step 1: Steam the Frozen Cauliflower
Place the frozen cauliflower florets in a steamer basket or a colander above a pot of boiling water. Cover the pot and steam the cauliflower for around 3-8 minutes, until it is tender.
Step 2: Drain Excess Moisture
Once the cauliflower is steamed, transfer it to a colander to drain any excess moisture. This step is crucial to prevent the dish from becoming soggy. Leave the cauliflower to stand for a few minutes, allowing any remaining water to drain or steam away.
Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Sauce
While the cauliflower is steaming, prepare your cheese sauce. A simple option is to whisk together mascarpone, plain flour, milk, grated Parmesan, and wholegrain mustard in a large saucepan. Gently heat this mixture through until it is smooth and well-combined.
Step 4: Combine Cauliflower and Cheese Sauce
After draining the cauliflower, return it to the saucepan or place it in an ovenproof dish. Pour the prepared cheese sauce over the cauliflower, ensuring it is evenly coated.
Step 5: Top with Extra Cheese
For an extra cheesy dish, sprinkle some additional grated cheese on top of the cauliflower and cheese sauce mixture. Parmesan or cheddar cheese work well for this.
Step 6: Grill until Golden
Place the saucepan or ovenproof dish under a hot grill. Grill the cauliflower cheese until the top is golden and crisp. Keep a close eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn.
By following these steps, you can enjoy a delicious and cheesy cauliflower dish, cooked from frozen with minimal effort.
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Prevent sogginess
To prevent sogginess when cooking cauliflower cheese from frozen, it is recommended to cook the dish from frozen instead of defrosting it beforehand. Defrosting the dish can cause the cheese sauce to become thin, watery, or "wet".
When cooking frozen cauliflower, it is also important to avoid overcooking it. Frozen cauliflower cooks faster than fresh cauliflower because it has already been blanched or pre-boiled. To prevent sogginess, cook the cauliflower until it is tender, but not mushy.
To cook cauliflower cheese from frozen, place the frozen dish in an oven-proof dish and sprinkle extra cheese on top. Bake at 180°C for 30 to 40 minutes, or until it is piping hot all the way through. The top of the dish should be bubbling with melted cheese.
If you are cooking frozen cauliflower without the cheese sauce, there are several cooking methods you can use to prevent sogginess. Roasting is a good option, as it helps to remove excess water. Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the frozen cauliflower in a single layer on the baking sheet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Roast for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and add oil and your desired seasonings. Return to the oven and roast for an additional 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of your cauliflower pieces, until they are tender and cooked through.
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Season to taste
Seasoning is an important step in elevating the flavour of your cauliflower cheese. The type and amount of seasoning you use will depend on your personal preferences and taste. Here are some tips to help you season your cauliflower cheese to perfection:
- Before seasoning, it is crucial to remove any excess moisture from the cooked cauliflower. Use a colander to shake off or drain any excess water. This step helps prevent your dish from becoming soggy.
- After draining the water, transfer the cooked cauliflower back to the pan or a separate bowl. Drizzle oil over the cauliflower and toss gently to coat evenly. You can use a neutral-flavoured oil, such as avocado or canola oil, or add a hint of flavour with extra virgin olive oil.
- Now it's time to add your seasonings! You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, dried herbs (oregano, thyme, or rosemary), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or red pepper flakes. Mix and match these seasonings to create your desired flavour profile.
- Be generous with your seasonings, but also trust your instincts and taste as you go. You can always add more seasoning but taking it out is a bit more challenging. Start with a pinch of each seasoning and adjust accordingly.
- If you're feeling adventurous, consider using fresh herbs instead of, or in addition to, dried herbs. Chopped parsley, basil, or chives can add a bright, fresh flavour to your dish.
- Don't forget to taste your creation! After adding the seasonings, give the cauliflower a gentle mix and take a bite. This is the best way to determine if you've achieved your desired flavour. If it needs more of a kick, add a bit more seasoning and taste again.
- Finally, don't be afraid to experiment and find your perfect combination. Cauliflower cheese is a versatile dish, so you can customise the seasonings to suit your taste buds.
Remember, seasoning is an art, not an exact science. Play around with different flavours and amounts until you find your perfect blend. Enjoy your delicious and flavourful cauliflower cheese!
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Frequently asked questions
Here is a general step-by-step guide to cooking cauliflower cheese from frozen:
- Cook the frozen cauliflower in a pan of boiling water until tender.
- Drain the water and leave the cauliflower to steam-dry.
- Prepare the cheese sauce separately.
- Pour the sauce over the cauliflower and top with more cheese.
- Place under a hot grill until golden and crisp.
To prevent soggy cauliflower cheese, avoid thawing the frozen cauliflower in the fridge or on the countertop. Instead, cook it directly from frozen. If there is a lot of ice on the cauliflower, rinse it under running water for a few seconds. After boiling the cauliflower, drain the water and leave it to steam-dry before adding the sauce.
Cooking cauliflower cheese from frozen typically takes around 10-15 minutes. Boiling or steaming the frozen cauliflower until tender usually takes about 5-8 minutes. Preparing the cheese sauce can be done in the meantime, and then the dish is placed under a hot grill until golden and crisp.
