Next Level Cauliflower Cheese Food

LOW CARB CHEESY CAULIFLOWER BREADSTICKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment and coat with cooking spray.
• Add the cauliflower and garlic to a food processor and pulse until finely ground and the consistency of couscous. Transfer the cauliflower mixture to a large bowl. Add the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, eggs, 1 cup Cheddar, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and combine until the mixture holds together when squeezed.
• Spread the cauliflower mixture into an 8-by-12-inch rectangle about a 1/4 inch thick on the prepared baking sheet. Use the straight edge of the parchment as your guide to keep the cauliflower mixture edges straight too. Bake until the crust turns golden brown all over, 18 to 20 minutes.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and lay another piece of parchment on top of the crust. Fit a second rimmed baking sheet on top so the bottom of the baking sheet is touching the parchment. Using oven mitts, hold the 2 baking sheets together and flip them over so the crust is now on the parchment on the upside-down baking sheet. Remove the first parchment from the crust, cut the crust into 1 1/2-inch-thick strips (you should have 8 to 9 strips) and spread them apart a little. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup Cheddar and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Bake on the upside-down baking sheet until the cheese is melted and turning brown in spots and the visible crust is a deep golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer the sticks on the parchment to a serving plate and serve with the marinara sauce for dipping.

CAULIFLOWER CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil, then add 1 large cauliflower, broken into pieces, and cook for 5 mins - lift out a piece to test, it should be cooked.
• Drain the cauliflower, then tip into an ovenproof dish. Heat oven to 220C/200C/gas 7.
• Put the saucepan back on the heat and add 500ml milk, 4 tbsp flour and 50g butter.
• Keep whisking fast as the butter melts and the mixture comes to the boil - the flour will disappear and the sauce will begin to thicken. Whisk for 2 mins while the sauce bubbles and becomes nice and thick.
• Turn off the heat, stir in most of the 100g grated cheddar cheese and pour over the cauliflower. Scatter over the remaining cheese, and 2-3 tbsp breadcrumbs if using.
• Put in the oven and bake for 20 mins until bubbling.

CAULIFLOWER SAY CHEESE

Steps:

• Grease an 11 by 7-inch flameproof baking dish with the butter and set aside.
• Position 1 oven rack in the middle position and 1 in the top position and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the cauliflower in a small glass bowl, stalk end up. Use a paring knife to remove the lower leaves. Trim the curds off of the stem, keeping them as intact as possible. Try to keep the size uniformly large and make as few cuts as possible. Discard the leaves and stem. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 4 minutes. Rest, still covered in plastic, for another 4 minutes. Uncover and rest for 4 to 5 more minutes while preparing the rest of the dish.
• Combine 4 ounces of the cheese, the bread crumbs, egg, salt, mustard, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne in a large mixing bowl. When 1 minute remains on the cauliflower rest period, microwave the cream on high for 30 seconds. Add the cream to the bowl with the cheese mixture and stir to combine.
• Using your hands and a tea towel if the cauliflower is still hot, rub the large florets between your hands to break up the curds. Add the curds to the cream mixture and stir until the cheese is thoroughly melted and combined.
• Spread the cauliflower mixture in the prepared baking dish, place on the middle rack, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the baking dish and turn the broiler to high. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 ounce cheese atop the cauliflower. Place on the top rack and broil until the top is bubbly and appropriately brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

NEXT-LEVEL CAULIFLOWER CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 210C/190C fan/gas 7. Tip the cauliflower into a shallow baking dish and toss with the oil, cayenne and a pinch of salt. Scatter with half the parmesan and roast for 20 mins until crisp and golden. Toss the florets, then sprinkle with more (but not all) of the parmesan and roast for 10 mins more until starting to char a little. Set aside.
• While the cauliflower is roasting, make the sauce. Heat the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat until frothy. Scatter over and stir in the flour, cooking for 3 mins until you have a sandy paste, then add the milk, a splash at a time, keeping it at a simmer and whisking between each addition until smooth. Once all the milk has been added, continue to cook the sauce gently, stirring occasionally for 15 mins until thickened and silky, then stir through the mustard powder and yeast extract, if using. Remove from the heat and add the grated cheddar, a handful at a time, until you have a thick, cheesy sauce. At this point stir in the cubed cheese and season with nutmeg and salt, if needed.
• Pour the sauce over the cauliflower in the baking dish to fully coat it. Mix the breadcrumbs with the remaining parmesan, then scatter this over the cauliflower cheese and bake for 20 mins. Sprinkle with the crispy onions and bake for a further 10 mins until bubbling and deep golden. Serve in warm and melting scoops from the baking dish.

CAULIFLOWER CHEESE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large saucepan. Tip in the onion and cook until softened, about 5 mins, stirring often. Add the cauliflower, potato, stock, milk and seasoning. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and leave to simmer for about 30 mins until the cauliflower is soft and the potato almost collapsing.
• Whizz in a food processor or crush with a potato masher until you get a creamy, thick soup. Top up with more milk to thin a little if serving in mugs. You can make ahead up to 2 days in advance, cool, cover and leave in the fridge until needed, or freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to serve, warm through, ladle into mugs or bowls, top with the cheese pieces, then stir through before eating.