Cauliflower's Cheesy Affair: Finding The Perfect Match

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be paired with a variety of cheeses to create delicious dishes. From sharp cheddars to creamy goat cheeses, the right cheese can enhance the flavour of cauliflower and make the dining experience even better. For instance, aged cheddars offer a nutty, crumbly, and sharp taste that pairs well with roasted or grilled cauliflower, bringing out the vegetable's natural sweetness.

Another cheese that goes well with cauliflower is gorgonzola, a crumbly and salty cheese with a powerful umami quality that enhances the savouriness of the vegetable. For those who prefer a richer, creamier option, gruyère is a perfect match, as its strong flavour and saltiness balance out the subtle taste of cauliflower.

Additionally, parmesan, with its rich, tangy, nutty, and sharp flavour, creates a dynamic duo with cauliflower, pleasing the taste buds. For a milder, buttery, and creamy flavour, brie is an excellent choice, as it brings out the sweetness of the vegetable.

These are just a few examples of cheeses that can take your cauliflower dishes to the next level. Each type of cheese offers a unique twist, ensuring that every meal is a delightful culinary experience.

Cheddar

• Cauliflower mac and cheese
• Cauliflower grilled cheese sandwich
• Roasted cauliflower salad with cheddar crumbles
• Creamy cauliflower soup with cheddar on top
• Cauliflower casserole with cheddar cheese
• Cauliflower grilled cheese
• Cauliflower macaroni and cheese

For a more indulgent option, you can also add other cheeses to the mix, such as Red Leicester or Gruyère, as in this recipe for cauliflower cheese, a classic British dish.

Gruyère

When making cauliflower cheese, a classic British dish, a combination of Red Leicester and Gruyère is a popular choice. The Red Leicester packs a flavourful punch and adds a distinct orange tinge to the sauce, while the Gruyère lends its nutty flavour and excellent melting qualities.

Ingredients:

• 1kg / 2 lb cauliflower florets (1 very large, 1 1/2 medium or 2 small cauliflower heads)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 60g / 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3½ tbsp plain/all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk (full fat is best)
• 1 cup cream (or more milk)
• 1/2 tsp cooking salt (kosher salt)
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg powder (freshly grated is best)
• 1 cup Red Leicester cheese (or cheddar), grated
• 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese, grated (plus more for topping)

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 220°C / 430°F (200°C fan).
• Toss the cauliflower in oil, salt and pepper, and spread on a large tray.
• Roast for 20 minutes without turning. The cauliflower should still be a bit firm, but with some colour.
• Heat milk and cream until hot, either on the stove or in the microwave.
• Melt butter in a large saucepan or small pot over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring regularly, for 3 minutes.
• While stirring, pour in half the milk. Once the roux is dissolved, stir in the remaining milk. Stir on the heat for 1 minute – the mixture should be thick enough to coat a wooden spoon.
• Turn off the stove but leave the pot on the turned-off burner. Stir in salt, nutmeg, and both cheeses. The cheese will thicken the mixture into a thick sauce.
• Add the cauliflower and toss to coat in the sauce.
• Transfer the mixture to a 2L / 2qt baking dish (30 x 20 x 5cm / 12 x 8 x 2").
• Sprinkle over Gruyère, followed by Red Leicester cheese.
• Bake at 180°C/350°F for 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the cauliflower is bubbly and golden.

This indulgent dish is perfect as a side or a vegetarian main course. Enjoy the magic of Gruyère and cauliflower!

Parmesan

When it comes to pairing Parmesan with cauliflower, the two create a dynamic duo that is sure to please your taste buds. Here are a few reasons why:

Flavour

The strong, rich, tangy, nutty, and sharp flavour of Parmesan cheese pairs well with the neutral taste of cauliflower. This combination is perfect for those who want to enjoy the flavour of cheese without it overpowering the other ingredients in the dish.

Texture

The texture of Parmesan cheese pairs perfectly with the creamy texture of cauliflower. When combined, you get a dish that is both rich and decadent.

Sweetness

The sharpness of Parmesan cheese helps to balance out the sweetness of cauliflower. This combination is ideal for those who want to enjoy a dish that is not too sweet or too savoury.

Earthiness

The nuttiness of Parmesan cheese goes well with the earthiness of cauliflower, adding depth of flavour to the dish.

Recipe Ideas

• Sliced Parmesan on top of roasted cauliflower
• Mashed cauliflower with chunks of Parmesan stirred in
• Cauliflower soup topped with crumbled Parmesan
• Cauliflower macaroni and cheese
• Cauliflower grilled cheese sandwich

So, if you're looking for a cheesy companion for your cauliflower, Parmesan is an excellent choice. Its distinct flavour and texture will enhance your dish, creating a delightful culinary experience.

Roquefort

The contrasting textures of the two ingredients also make them a good combination. The gooeyness of the cheese pairs well with the crunch of the cauliflower.

A popular way to serve cauliflower with Roquefort is in a soup. Recipes for this dish are simple, requiring few ingredients and no specific technical skill. The soup is also healthy, as cauliflower is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B, manganese, selenium and fibre.

Another option is to make a mousseline of cauliflower with Roquefort cheese. This is another easy and healthy dish, requiring only cauliflower, milk, and Roquefort.

Feta

• Roasted cauliflower salad with feta, olives, and a simple vinaigrette
• Grilled vegetable pizza with feta cheese
• Orzo pasta salad with feta, cauliflower, tomatoes, and a light dressing
• Cauliflower fritters with a feta dipping sauce
• Rosemary-roasted cauliflower with crumbled feta on top

Frequently asked questions