Cauliflower Casserole With Quinoa Kale And Sharp Cheddar Food

CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE WITH QUINOA KALE AND SHARP CHEDDAR

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375ºF. Pull the kale leaves off the thick stems and tear them into bite sized pieces, rinse leaves, spin or pat dry (they don't have to be completely dry) and spread kale leaves out on a large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over kale and use your hand to massage the oil into the leaves. Roast kale in the center of the oven for 15-20 minutes, tossing after ten minutes, until tender and crisp on the edges. Set aside.
• While the kale is roasting, put the quinoa in a large saucepan (large enough to hold all the cauliflower too) and add cold water so the pot is about 2/3 of the way filled. Turn the heat to high. Once boiling, turn the heat down to a gentle boil and set the timer for 7 minutes. When the timer goes off, add the cauliflower florets and once again turn the heat to high. Set the timer again for 7 minutes. Drain the quinoa and cauliflower and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add roasted kale and toss. Add most of the cheese, setting aside a handful to sprinkle on top. Add the milk, mustard, 1 teaspoon of salt or to taste, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper or to taste, and onion powder, if using. Toss well to combine.
• Turn the oven down to 350ºF. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart casserole. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake in upper third of the oven for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crisp in spots. If you like the top to be extra crisp and brown, turn on the broiler for a minute or two, watching carefully to prevent burning.
• Serve hot.

CREAMY CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE WITH BACON AND CHEDDAR

Steps:

• Mix bacon, 1/2 cup cheese, and parsley in small bowl. Set aside for topping.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add 1 tbsp salt and cauliflower, cook until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer half to cutting board and roughly chop.
• Melt cream cheese on low heat. Stir in heavy cream and remaining 2 1/2 cups of cheddar, cook until starts to melt.
• Off heat stir in sour cream, cauliflower, 1/2 tsp salt and pepper. Transfer to a 2 quart baking dish, sprinkle with topping, and bake until brown and bubbly, about 15 minutes.

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER, KALE AND QUINOA SOUP

Steps:

• Brown bacon in the bottom of a heavy stock pot.
• When bacon is crisp, don't bother draining. Add the carrots and onions to the stock pot and continue cooking 2-3 minutes. You may note a few bits of the bacon or veggies clinging to the bottom of the pot.
• These will come loose when the chicken stock is added and deglazes the pan.
• Add the chicken stock and bring the pot to a boil, stirring to loosen anything that may be sticking at the bottom of the pan.
• Once everything is moving freely, add the cauliflower and kale and reduce heat to a simmer.
• Simmer for 15 minutes and then add the quinoa, cream cheese, cheddar and cream.
• Stir until cheeses have melted and all ingredients are completely incorporated. Remove from heat.
• Serve with optional garnishes of additional shredded cheese and sliced green onions.

QUINOA WITH ROASTED CAULIFLOWER AND KALE

Steps:

• 1. Peel and smash 1 garlic clove.
• 2. Bring broth and garlic to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat to med-high, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the quinoa absorbs the broth.
• 3. Slice cauliflower into 1/2 inch thick slabs, then chop into bite-sized pieces. The flat slices will brown and caramelize better than florets. Slice remaining garlic. Cut the stems out of the kale leaves and chop into 1 inch squares.
• 4. Heat 2 tablespoons coconut oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add garlic slices. Stir and cook for 1 minute. Add cauliflower cut-sides down. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the cauliflower browns slightly. Flip the cauliflower, sprinkle with 1 teaspoons salt, and cook for another 5 minutes. Turn the heat up to med-high if necessary. The cauliflower should be cooked, but still have a crunch to it. Remove the cauliflower from the skillet and set aside.
• 5. Heat 1 tablespoons in the skillet and add chopped kale. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoons salt. Cook, stirring frequently for 2 minutes, or until the kale turns bright green and starts to wilt. Add the cauliflower back to the skillet and mix.
• 6. Serve the quinoa topped with the cauliflower and kale. Sprinkle with seasame seeds and garnish with garlic scapes, if available.