Four Cheese Pasta With Cauliflower Food

FOUR-CHEESE CAULIFLOWER GRATIN

Steps:

• For the sauce, melt the butter in a shallow saucepan. When it's just starting to sizzle, stir in the flour to make a paste. Cook for a minute, then gradually whisk in the milk until you have a smooth, thick sauce. Stir through the mustard, cream cheese, truffle oil (if using) and parmesan, and cook over a low heat until thickened. Season with lots of black pepper.
• Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Trim the leaves off the cauliflowers and slice into rough steaks about 1cm thick. Don't worry about the outside bits not being slices - it will all be used. Assemble the dish a bit like a lasagne. Spoon a quarter of the cheese sauce into a large baking dish and spread it out, then add half of the cauliflower. Repeat the process, finishing with a thick layer of sauce. Scatter over the mozzarella, and the gruyère or cheddar and crispy onions.
• Bake for 1 hr 30-1 hr 45 mins until the cheese is golden and the cauliflower is soft but not mushy. If you want a golden finish, you can grill it (keep an eye on it) or leave it in when you turn the oven up for the crackling, if making the salt & vinegar roast pork as well. Once baked, leave to stand for 10 mins before serving in the middle of the table.

BAKED PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER AND CHEESE

Steps:

• To prepare the Bechamel sauce, melt the butter in a heavy saucepan on medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour, whisking or stirring constantly, until a smooth pasteis formed. Add the heated milk slowly, a cup at a time, continuing to whisk until the sauce begins to thicken. Add the mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper and let the sauce thicken further on low heat. Remove from heat and cover.
• Saute the onions, garlic, and basil in oil. When the onions are translucent, add the cauliflower and saute for 5 minutes or more. Add the tomatoes and simmer until the cauliflower is tender.
• Cook the pasta al dente and then drain.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the Sauteed vegetables, and the lemon juice. Mix in the Bechamel sauce. Put half of the pasta mixture in an oiled baking dish. Sprinkle on half of each of the cheeses. Add the rest of the pasta mixture and then the rest of the cheese. Top with seasoned bread crumbs and bake covered at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes and then uncovered for about 15 minutes or until bubbling and golden on top

FOUR-CHEESE PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine milk, cream cheese, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne, if desired. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until mixture comes to a slow boil, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove pan from heat; stir in remaining cheeses and mustard until cheese melts. In a bowl, toss pasta with cauliflower; pour cheese mixture over top; stir. Divide pasta evenly among 7 bowls; serve immediately.

PASTA WITH FOUR CHEESES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, add noodles and cook until done about 6 to 7 minutes or according to package directions. Meanwhile, finely dice your cheddar and brie into 1/4-inch cubes. Combine the cheeses with the white wine and ricotta in the top of a double boiler or in a microwave proof container that is large enough to accommodate the cooked pasta. If you are using a double boiler, melt the cheese while the pasta is cooking, if you are using a microwave you can wait until the pasta is done. When the pasta is done, drain, pat dry, and toss it with the melted cheese. Or is you are using a microwave oven, heat the cheese for 1 minute. Whisk it vigorously and return it to the microwave for 20 seconds. Add the drained pasta to the melted cheese, right in the microwave dish, and toss. Season with lots of freshly ground pepper and scallion.

CAULIFLOWER CHEESE PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200 fan/gas 9. Toss the cauliflower florets, leaves and sliced core with 1 tbsp olive oil in a roasting tin and season. Roast in the oven for 30-40 mins, or until the cauliflower is turning golden and smelling nutty. While it's roasting, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a non-stick frying pan and add the shallots, sugar and thyme. Cook for 10-15 mins until soft, sweet and caramelised. Add the wine and cook for a few more mins until evaporated. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salty boiling water until just cooked. Drain and set aside.
• For the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a non-stick saucepan over a medium heat with the bay leaf. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 mins or so, until the roux is starting to bubble. Pour in the milk, little by little, stirring with a whisk, until fully incorporated and you have a smooth, lump-free sauce. Cook for about 10 mins until thickened, and then season with nutmeg and black pepper. Next, add the cheese and stir over the heat until it's melted and smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning, adding the vinegar or lemon juice to taste.
• Tip the pasta and shallots into the cauliflower roasting dish, then pour over the cheese sauce and stir so everything is well coated. Sprinkle over the remaining parmesan, reduce the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and bake for 20 mins, or until golden. Remove from the oven and allow to settle for about 10 mins, then serve with a crisp chicory salad.

CAULIFLOWER & BACON PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the grill to high and bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Grill the bacon slices for 5 mins or until crispy, then drain on kitchen paper and cut into small pieces.
• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Add the cauliflower to the pasta pan for the final 8 mins, so that it is just tender, then drain, reserving 2 tbsp of the cooking water.
• Melt the butter in a small pan over a low heat, then stir in the flour and cook for a couple of mins. Gradually stir in the milk, mixing well between each addition. Bring to a simmer, then cook for a few mins until thickened. Season, add the mustard and half the grated cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Tip the pasta and cauliflower back into the pan along with the reserved cooking water. Stir through the cheese sauce and bacon, then transfer the mix to a baking dish. Mix together the breadcrumbs and remaining cheese, then sprinkle over the pasta. Cook for 5 mins under the grill until browned. Serve with a salad, if you like.

FOUR CHEESE PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• For the topping: Tear the bread into quarters and put it in a food processor until the mixture resembles course breadcrumbs, not fine. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the Parmesan, salt and pepper. Set this aside for now.
• For the Pasta and Cheese: Pre-heat your oven to 500°F
• Combine the four cheeses in a large bowl and set aside. Meanwhile bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large stockpot. When boiling, add the pasta and 1 T of salt. Stir immediately to separate the pasta. Bring back to the boil. (Cook only until al dente - 2 minutes less than package directions).
• While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a small-ish saucepan over medium-low heat. When the butter is melted and bubbling, stir in the flour and continue stirring the butter and flour mixture until no lumps remain. Gradually whisk in the cream.
• Raise the heat to medium and bring to a slow boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer a minute or two more.
• Stir in the ¼ tsp salt and the pepper and cover the cream sauce, and set aside.
• When pasta is al dente, drain. Add the pasta to the cheese bowl and pour over the cream mixture. (At this point, I would add the drained tomatoes). Cover with foil and let stand for 3 minutes. Uncover the bowl and stir very well with a rubber spatula to make sure the cheeses are mixed thoroughly and well combined.
• Transfer tot a 9x13" baking dish. Sprinkle with the breadcrumb topping, and press down lightly on the crumb mixture.
• Bake in the 500F oven for about 7 minutes.