Cajun Creamed Cauliflower Food

CREAMED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Put cauliflower into a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cover with water and bring to boiling. Cook cauliflower until just tender, about 10 minutes. Do not overcook or the final product will be mushy. Drain water. Add milk, butter, salt, and pepper to the saucepan with the cauliflower. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring often to prevent milk from scalding, about 5 minutes.
• Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl until cornstarch has dissolved. Add to boiling milk-cauliflower mixture. Simmer until sauce starts to thicken, about 5 minutes.

CAJUN CREAMED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• In a large, uncovered pot of boiling salted water, cook cauliflower 16 minutes (follow package directions if using frozen cauliflower); drain well.
• Cut crusts off bread and soak in milk for 10 minutes.
• Add melted butter, onions, garlic, and celery.
• Season to taste and cook over medium heat until mixture forms a thick cream gravy.
• Cover cauliflower with cream gravy.
• Cover with cheese slices and bake in oven at 350°F until cheese melts.

CREAMY BAKED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Put the milk, quartered onion, mace and bay leaves in a pan, and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat, set aside for 1 hr to infuse, then strain.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pan of water to the boil. Tip in the cauliflower and cook for 5 mins until just tender. Drain and set aside, uncovered, in a colander to steam-dry.
• Put the pan back on the heat, then add the knob of butter and the chopped onion. Gently soften onion for 10 mins until really soft but not coloured.
• In a medium-sized pan, melt the butter, then stir in the flour to form a paste. Cook for 2 mins, then gradually stir in the strained milk to form a smooth sauce. Bring to the boil and simmer, stirring often, until thickened and smooth. Stir in the softened onion and season well with salt and nutmeg.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Tip the cauliflower into an ovenproof dish and pour over the sauce. Can be covered and chilled for up to 2 days at this stage or frozen. Scatter the cauliflower with the breadcrumbs, then bake for 30 mins until the sauce is bubbling and the top is golden and crisp.