Randy Chandler
Cauliflower cheese is a traditional English dish that can be eaten as a main course or as a side dish. It consists of pieces of cauliflower lightly boiled or roasted and covered with a milk-based cheese sauce. The type of cheese used can vary, but a mature cheese such as cheddar is a popular choice. The dish is often topped with grated cheese and breadcrumbs and baked in the oven. While some people enjoy the taste of cauliflower cheese, others may find the boiled cauliflower to have a distinct sulphurous flavour.
What does Cauliflower Cheese taste like?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overall Flavour | Savoury, cheesy, buttery, tangy, sweet, nutty |
| Cauliflower Preparation | Roasted, boiled, steamed, fried, raw |
| Cheese Types | Cheddar, Red Leicester, Gruyere, Parmesan, Lancashire, Stilton |
| Additional Ingredients | Breadcrumbs, mustard, nutmeg, chilli sauce, cayenne pepper, thyme |
| Texture | Creamy, silky smooth, bubbling, crispy, crunchy |
| Serving Suggestions | Main course, side dish, baby food, vegetarian ready meal |
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What You'll Learn
Cauliflower cheese is a traditional English dish
The dish is often topped with grated cheese and breadcrumbs and then baked in the oven. It is a popular choice for a vegetarian main course or side dish and is also produced as a ready meal in the UK. In the 19th and 20th centuries, cauliflower cheese was commonly served as an accompaniment to roast meat and potatoes for the traditional Sunday lunch, usually during the winter months.
There are a variety of ways to prepare the cauliflower for cauliflower cheese. Most recipes call for boiling or steaming the cauliflower, but some suggest roasting or frying it first to enhance its flavour. Roasting the cauliflower gives it a better flavour and avoids the risk of a watery sauce. Frying the cauliflower in butter before adding it to the dish can enrich the flavour and make it infinitely tastier.
Cauliflower cheese is a comforting and indulgent dish that can be served with a range of main courses or enjoyed on its own. It is a classic side dish that pairs well with roast chicken, beef, lamb, or fish fingers. It can also be served as a main course with jacket potatoes and pickled beetroot.
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The cauliflower is lightly boiled or roasted
Cauliflower cheese is a traditional English dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. The dish consists of pieces of cauliflower that are lightly boiled or roasted and covered with a milk-based cheese sauce.
When it comes to preparing the cauliflower, some recipes call for lightly boiling the vegetable, while others suggest roasting it. Boiling the cauliflower involves cooking it in boiling water for a few minutes until it is tender but still has a bit of bite. On the other hand, roasting the cauliflower involves tossing it with a neutral oil, seasoning, and salt before cooking it in the oven. Roasting is said to coax out more flavour and create a better texture compared to boiling, which can result in a sulphurous taste and a softer consistency.
For the cheese sauce, a mature cheese with excellent melting qualities is typically used. Cheddar is a popular choice, known for its savoury and intensely cheesy flavour. Other options include Red Leicester, Gruyere, Parmesan, and Lancashire, each bringing their unique sweet, piquant, or tangy flavours to the dish. The sauce is made by creating a roux with butter, flour, and milk, then adding grated cheese and seasoning to taste. Some recipes also include breadcrumbs and herbs like thyme for added texture and flavour.
Once the cauliflower is cooked, it is placed in an oven-proof dish, coated with the cheese sauce, and topped with grated cheese and breadcrumbs. The dish is then baked in the oven until the topping is crisp and golden, and the sauce is bubbling. This final step ensures that the flavours meld together and creates a delicious, indulgent, and comforting cauliflower cheese dish.
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It's covered in a milk-based cheese sauce
Cauliflower cheese is a traditional English dish that can be served as a main course or as a side dish. It is made by coating lightly boiled or steamed cauliflower in a milk-based cheese sauce, often flavoured with English mustard and nutmeg, and then baking it in the oven. The cheese sauce is typically made with mature, strongly flavoured cheeses such as cheddar, gruyere, parmesan, or stilton. Some recipes also include breadcrumbs and herbs for added texture and flavour.
The milk-based cheese sauce in cauliflower cheese is typically made with a combination of milk, flour, butter, and cheese. The milk and flour are cooked together to create a thick, creamy base for the sauce, while the butter adds richness and flavour. The type of cheese used can vary depending on personal preference, but mature, strongly flavoured cheeses are generally preferred as they provide a savoury, intense cheesy taste. Cheddar, for example, is a popular choice due to its savoury flavour and melting qualities.
Gruyere is another commonly used cheese in cauliflower cheese sauce, known for its sweet and piquant flavour, which pairs well with the creaminess of the sauce. Parmesan, a hard cheese with a strong flavour, is also used in some recipes, adding a salty, nutty taste to the dish. Some cooks even use a combination of these cheeses, such as cheddar and gruyere or parmesan and gruyere, to create a unique flavour profile.
In addition to the milk, flour, butter, and cheese, some recipes for cauliflower cheese sauce include English mustard and nutmeg to enhance the flavour. These ingredients add a subtle spiciness and warmth to the dish, complementing the other flavours without overwhelming them. The sauce is typically seasoned with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring a well-rounded and balanced flavour profile.
The milk-based cheese sauce in cauliflower cheese is designed to coat the cauliflower florets generously, adding moisture and flavour to the dish. By baking the dish in the oven, the sauce becomes bubbly and golden, creating a delicious contrast of textures and colours. The sauce also helps to bind the other ingredients together, making it a cohesive and satisfying meal.
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Cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan are popular cheeses to use
Gruyere is another popular choice, often paired with Red Leicester or Parmesan. It has excellent melting qualities and lends a sweet and piquant flavour to the dish. The sweetness of Gruyere may be too similar to the natural sweetness of cauliflower for some, but it is a favourite of many.
Parmesan is a hard cheese that is used in a traditional cauliflower cheese recipe from Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management, first published in 1861. It has a strong, sweet, and piquant flavour that some believe is the perfect pairing for cauliflower.
When making cauliflower cheese, the cauliflower is usually boiled or steamed first, and then baked in the oven with the cheese sauce. Some recipes call for the cauliflower to be fried in butter before baking, which is said to enrich the flavour.
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-side-dish'>It's served as a main or side dish
Cauliflower cheese is a traditional English dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is made by coating lightly boiled or roasted cauliflower in a milk-based cheese sauce, often flavoured with English mustard and nutmeg, and then baking it in the oven. The cheese sauce is typically made with mature cheeses such as cheddar, gruyere, or parmesan, which lend a savoury, intensely cheesy flavour to the dish. Some recipes also include breadcrumbs and spices like cayenne pepper for added texture and flavour.
When served as a main course, cauliflower cheese can be a satisfying and hearty option for vegetarians or those looking for a meat-free meal. It can be paired with a variety of sides, such as jacket potatoes and pickled beetroot, or a crisp green salad. The dish is also versatile enough to be customised with additional ingredients, such as crispy bacon pieces or cooked chicken, to make it a more substantial meal.
As a side dish, cauliflower cheese is a classic accompaniment to roast dinners, particularly during the winter months. It pairs well with roast meat, such as chicken, beef, or lamb, and can be served alongside potatoes or other vegetables. The rich, creamy sauce and tender cauliflower florets add a delicious contrast in texture and flavour to the typical roast dinner.
The versatility of cauliflower cheese also allows it to be served as a quick lunch option or a comforting dinner. It can be paired with a variety of proteins, such as fish fingers or prawns, or enjoyed on its own as a vegetarian option. When served as a side, cauliflower cheese provides a tasty and indulgent addition to a range of meals, elevating the dining experience.
Whether served as a main course or a side dish, cauliflower cheese offers a delicious and comforting option that is sure to satisfy any appetite. With its combination of tender cauliflower, creamy sauce, and indulgent cheese, it has become a beloved dish for people of all ages.
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Frequently asked questions
Cauliflower cheese is a rich dish with a strong, savoury flavour. The cauliflower is boiled or roasted, and covered in a milk-based cheese sauce, which is then baked in the oven. The cheese sauce is typically made with mature, strong cheeses such as cheddar, gruyere, parmesan, or stilton.
There are many ways to make cauliflower cheese, but a typical recipe involves boiling or roasting cauliflower florets, covering them in a cheese sauce, and then baking the dish in the oven. The cheese sauce is typically made by creating a roux with butter, flour, and milk, and then adding grated cheese. The cheese sauce can be flavoured with English mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, or thyme, and the dish is often topped with breadcrumbs.
Cauliflower cheese can be served as a main course or as a side dish. When served as a main, it goes well with roast meats such as chicken, beef, or lamb, or with fish. It can also be served with jacket potatoes and pickled beetroot, or with pasta.
