Cheesy Comfort: Best Meats To Pair With Cauliflower Cheese

Cauliflower cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or side dish. While it can be enjoyed on its own, it also pairs well with various meats. Some popular options include salty gammon steak, roast beef, and roast chicken. For those who prefer lighter meats, baked cod, chicken tikka masala, and chicken pot pie are also good choices. If you're looking for a hearty comfort food, sausage and mash is a perfect combination with cauliflower cheese.

Gammon steak

A salty gammon steak goes exceptionally well with cauliflower cheese. Gammon and cauliflower cheese grills are a delicious and unusual way to serve gammon steaks. This combination can be served as a side dish or a teatime treat.

To prepare this dish, you will need the following ingredients:

• Gammon steaks
• Cauliflower, cut into florets
• Wholegrain mustard
• Half-fat crème fraîche
• Grated cheddar cheese
• Olive oil (optional)
• Salt (optional)
• Freshly chopped chives, for garnish (optional)
• Preheat your grill to high.
• Line a large baking tray with foil.
• Use kitchen scissors to snip the sides of the raw gammon steaks to prevent them from curling up too much during cooking.
• Brush the gammon steaks with olive oil (optional).
• Place the gammon steaks on the prepared baking tray and grill for about 10 minutes on each side, or until the fat is crisp and the steaks are cooked through.
• While the gammon is grilling, cook the cauliflower florets in a separate pot of boiling water until tender.
• Drain the cooked cauliflower and mix it with wholegrain mustard, half-fat crème fraîche, and grated cheddar cheese.
• Spoon the cauliflower mixture over the grilled gammon steaks.
• Sprinkle additional grated cheddar cheese on top and grill for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
• Garnish with freshly chopped chives (optional).

This dish can be served with a variety of sides, such as crusty bread, a green salad, grilled tomatoes, or peas. Enjoy!

Sausage and mash

To make the perfect sausage and mash, start by choosing a good-quality sausage. You can go for traditional pork sausages or mix it up with chicken or vegetarian options. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your own sausages from scratch, adding herbs and spices like sage, thyme, and red pepper flakes to give them a unique flavour.

For the mash, you'll need starchy potatoes such as Russets or Yukon Golds. Peel and chop the potatoes into even-sized chunks, then boil them until they are tender. Drain the potatoes and let them dry in the pot for a minute or two to remove any excess moisture. This will help ensure your mash is nice and fluffy. Add butter, milk or cream, and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add in extras like garlic, chives, or cheese for a more indulgent mash.

Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or ricer until you reach your desired consistency. Some people like their mash smooth, while others prefer a chunkier texture. Finally, fry or grill your sausages until they are cooked through and lightly browned.

To plate, scoop a generous portion of mash onto a plate or bowl and top with two or three sausages. Don't forget to drizzle over some gravy for extra flavour and moisture! Serve this comforting dish alongside a helping of cauliflower cheese, and you've got a delicious and satisfying meal.

Roasted chicken

Seasoning and Cooking the Chicken

Firstly, don't forget to season the chicken skin. Add your favourite herbs and spices to enhance the flavour of the chicken. Then, cook the chicken until the skin is crispy. This crispy texture will contrast beautifully with the creamy cheese and tender cauliflower.

Side Dishes

To make it a well-rounded meal, add some green vegetables to your plate. Steamed or roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans will provide a healthy boost and a nice colour contrast. You could also serve the chicken and cauliflower cheese with a fresh, crunchy salad. Include some lettuce, cucumber, peppers, and carrots to add a refreshing element to your meal.

Presentation and Serving

When serving, you can get creative by placing the cauliflower cheese in a separate dish alongside the roasted chicken, or you could arrange the chicken and cauliflower cheese together on a platter for a more impressive presentation. Don't forget to garnish with some fresh herbs to enhance the flavour and make the dish look even more appealing.

Leftovers and Storage

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. Simply cover the dish and reheat in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop until piping hot.

So, there you have it! Roasted chicken and cauliflower cheese is a perfect pairing that your family and friends will surely enjoy. Don't be afraid to experiment with different side dishes and presentation techniques to make the meal your own.

Roasted beef

A roast beef dinner is a classic dish that is perfect for a hearty and indulgent meal. Adding cauliflower cheese to the dish will only enhance the flavour and make it even more delicious. Here is a guide on how to make the perfect roasted beef with cauliflower cheese.

Ingredients

For the beef:

• A good-quality cut of beef, such as prime rib or ribeye
• Garlic and thyme-infused butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the cauliflower cheese:

• 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
• 2-4 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 60g of unsalted butter
• 3.5 tbsp of plain flour
• 1 cup of milk (full-fat is best)
• 1 cup of cream (or more milk)
• 1/2 tsp of cooking salt (kosher salt)
• 1/4 tsp of nutmeg powder (freshly grated is best)
• 1 cup of grated cheese (a combination of Red Leicester and cheddar, or just cheddar)

Method

First, prepare the cauliflower cheese. Preheat your oven to 220°C/430°F. Toss the cauliflower florets in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread them on a large baking tray. Roast for 20 minutes, until they are slightly coloured but still firm.

While the cauliflower is roasting, make the cheese sauce. Heat the milk and cream in a saucepan or microwave until hot. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter and add the flour, cooking over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in the hot milk, stirring continuously until you have a thick sauce. Stir in the salt, nutmeg, and grated cheese until you have a thick, creamy sauce.

Remove the cauliflower from the oven and reduce the temperature to 180°C/350°F. Toss the cauliflower in the cheese sauce until it is fully coated. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle over the remaining grated cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. The dish is ready when it is golden and fabulous!

Now, for the roast beef. Season the beef with salt and pepper and rub it with garlic and thyme-infused butter. You can cook the beef in the oven or on a grill, depending on your preference. For a medium-rare roast, cook it at 200°C for 20 minutes per 500g, plus 20 minutes. For a well-done roast, cook it at 190°C for 25 minutes per 500g, plus 25 minutes.

Let the beef rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve the juicy, tender beef with a generous portion of cauliflower cheese, and enjoy!

Baked potato

A baked potato, or a jacket potato as it is affectionately known in the UK, is a great side or main. It is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit a variety of tastes and dietary requirements.

Ingredients

• 2-4 large baking potatoes (suitable for baking, high starch potatoes like King Edward or Russet)
• 1/2 small head of cauliflower
• Salt, pepper, nutmeg
• Full-fat milk
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Grated strong cheddar cheese
• Olive oil
• Butter

Method

First, you want to start by preparing your potatoes. Scrub them, dry them, and prick them with a fork. You can rub the skins with butter or oil and dust with salt if you like crispy skins. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake at 450°F for 45 minutes to an hour, or until tender.

While the potatoes are baking, prepare the cauliflower by cutting it into florets and poaching it gently in milk with a bay leaf. This infuses the cauliflower with milk and the milk with cauliflower, doubling the flavour. Bring the milk to just below boiling point and then reduce to a low simmer. Cook the cauliflower until tender, which should take about 20 minutes.

Once the potatoes are baked, cut them in half and scoop out the flesh into a bowl, leaving the skins intact. Add butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to the bowl and mash the mixture, adding some of the milk from the poached cauliflower. You can then add the poached cauliflower and mash it in, leaving some texture.

Pile the mixture back into the potato skins and place them in a baking dish. Sprinkle a mixture of grated Parmesan and strong cheddar cheese on top and return to the oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and turned golden brown.

Serving Suggestions

These twice-baked cauliflower cheese potatoes can be served as a main or side dish. They go well with a salad on the side or as an accompaniment to something more substantial.

Variations

You can make this recipe dairy-free by using dairy alternatives for the butter, sour cream, and cheese. You can also add some garlic powder for extra flavour.

Tips

• Pricking the potatoes helps prevent them from exploding in the oven.
• Be careful when heating the milk as it doubles in volume when it boils.
• You can add a splash of milk to the mixture if it appears too thick.
• For crispy skins, do not wrap the potatoes when baking.

Frequently asked questions