Individual Stilton Cauliflower Cheeses Food

INDIVIDUAL STILTON CAULIFLOWER CHEESES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200°C/fan180°C/ gas 6. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the cauliflower for 2 minutes, then drain and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then stir through the flour and paprika. Cook for a minute until the flour begins to smell biscuity, stir through the mustard, then, very slowly, and stirring all the time, pour in the milk - you should end up with a thick sauce that easily coats the back of a spoon. If it's not thick enough, let it bubble away for a few minutes, stirring often. Stir through the cheese and chives, then season.
• Divide the cauliflower among 4 x 20cm x 10cm gratin dishes, and pour the cheese sauce over each. Scatter the breadcrumbs over the top, and bake for 20 minutes or so, until the tops of the gratins are golden and crisp, and the sauce is bubbling (pop under a hot grill for 2 minutes at the end if they need more colour). Allow to stand for a few minutes, then serve with leftover cold meat or roast chicken.

CAULIFLOWER CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 395F/200C/Gas 7.
• Remove the green outer leaves from the cauliflower and steam whole over a pan of boiling water for 10 minutes.
• Remove the cauliflower from the heat and leave to cool.
• Place the butter and flour into a large saucepan.
• Over a low heat stir the butter and flour until the butter has melted and the flour is incorporated.
• Add the salt and mustard powder and continue stirring for 2 minutes.
• Turn the heat up to medium and add the milk in one go and whisk furiously until all a smooth sauce is formed.
• Continue stirring until the sauce is thickened and glossy (about 5 minutes).
• If the sauce is very thick add a little more milk, the sauce should be thick but still runny.
• Add the grated cheese and stir until melted.
• Remove from the heat.
• Break the cauliflower florets from the thick, central stalk taking care not to break it into tiny pieces.
• Place the florets in a baking dish large enough to hold all the florets in one layer.
• Pour the thickened cheese sauce over the cauliflower ensuring all the florets are covered.
• Sprinkle with grated cheese and a good twist of black pepper.
• Bake in the hot oven until the sauce is bubbling and golden brown on the top, approximately 30 minutes.

CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER AND STILTON SOUP

Steps:

• Blanch 1 cup cauliflower florets in medium pot of boiling salted water until just crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold water; drain well. Set aside.
• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, leek, celery, and remaining cauliflower. Cover and cook until onion is tender but not brown, stirring frequently, about 8 minutes. Add flour and stir 2 minutes. Gradually stir in vegetable broth. Add 1 cup milk. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover partially and simmer until vegetables are very tender and soup thickens, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Puree soup in blender in batches until smooth. Return to same saucepan. (Cauliflower and soup can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate. Bring cauliflower to room temperature before using.)
• Bring soup to simmer, thinning with more milk, if desired. Gradually add Stilton, stirring until melted. Season to taste with white pepper and salt.
• Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with reserved cauliflower and serve.

CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER AND STILTON SOUP

Steps:

• Blanch 1 cup cauliflower florets in medium pot of boiling salted water until just crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold water; drain well. Set aside.
• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, leek, celery, and remaining cauliflower. Cover and cook until onion is tender but not brown, stirring frequently, about 8 minutes. Add flour and stir 2 minutes. Gradually stir in vegetable broth. Add 1 cup milk. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover partially and simmer until vegetables are very tender and soup thickens, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• Puree soup in blender in batches until smooth. Return to same saucepan. (Cauliflower and soup can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate. Bring cauliflower to room temperature before using.)
• Bring soup to simmer, thinning with more milk, if desired. Gradually add Stilton, stirring until melted. Season to taste with white pepper and salt.
• Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with reserved cauliflower and serve.

BROCCOLI & CAULIFLOWER CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. In a very large saucepan, cook the cauliflower in boiling salted water for 5 mins. Then add the broccoli and cook for 3 mins more. Drain well and transfer to a large ovenproof dish.
• To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a small pan. When foaming, add flour and mustard powder, and cook for 1 min, stirring constantly. Take off the heat and add the milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly to get rid of any lumps. Once half the milk has been added, return to the heat and add the remaining milk. Keep stirring and bring to the boil, then turn down to a simmer and cook for 2 mins, until thickened and smooth. Add most of the cheese and some seasoning then take off the heat and add the chives.
• Pour the sauce over the vegetables and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. This can be done the day before and kept covered in the fridge. Cook in the oven for 35-40 mins until bubbling, allowing an extra 5-10 mins cooking time if from the fridge.

STILTON CAULIFLOWER SOUP

Steps:

• Cook onion, celery, and cauliflower in butter in a 3 1/2- to 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion and celery are softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add broth and 1 cup milk and simmer, covered, until cauliflower is very tender, about 25 minutes.
• Purée cauliflower mixture in 2 batches in a blender until very smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids), then return to cleaned saucepan and bring to a simmer. Whisk together cornstarch and remaining 2 tablespoons milk in a small bowl until cornstarch is dissolved, then add to soup and simmer, whisking, until soup is slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add Stilton, cream, pepper, and salt and cook over low heat, whisking, until Stilton is melted and soup is smooth, about 1 minute

CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER AND STILTON SOUP

Steps:

• Separate 3/4 cup of the cauliflower florets and place them in a pan of boiling water. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes, then rinse under cold water, and set aside for garnish.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, leek and celery. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add potato, chicken broth, uncooked cauliflower and sherry. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally until potatoes and cauliflower are tender. Remove from heat.
• Puree the cauliflower mixture in batches using a food processor or blender, and transfer to a soup pot over medium-low heat. I like it smooth but still with little tiny bits in it. Season with white pepper, black pepper and salt. Stir in the milk and cream, then crumble in the Stilton cheese. Heat through, but do not boil.
• Ladle into bowls, and garnish with cauliflower pieces and chopped fresh parsley.