Traditional English Cheddar Cauliflower Cheese Gratin Food

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH CHEDDAR CAULIFLOWER CHEESE - GRATIN

Steps:

• *If oven baking, pre-heat oven to 225C or 450°F.
• Trim the cauliflower & break into small florets.
• Boil in salted water for 10-15 minutes or until just tender.
• Drain in a colander and then place in a buttered ovenproof baking dish.
• Add the milk, flour and butter to a saucepan.
• Heat and whisking with a wire whisk continuously until the sauce thickens, boils and is smooth.
• Allow to simmer for a further 2 minutes.
• Add three-quarters of the grated cheese, mustard, a pinch of nutmeg and seasoning.
• Cook for further minute stirring well.
• Pour the sauce over the cauliflower.
• Mix the remaining cheese, and breadcrumbs, if using, together, sprinkle over the top.
• Place under a hot grill until golden brown, OR, bake in a pre-heated oven 225C/450F for about 15 to 25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
• Serve immediately.

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.

CAULIFLOWER AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add cauliflower, cover, and steam until tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
• Heat butter in a small saucepan over low heat; cook and stir onion in the melted butter until softened, about 5 minutes. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture just starts to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually pour milk into mixture, whisking into a smooth sauce. Cook until just simmering.
• Remove sauce from heat and stir in half the Cheddar cheese until melted; sprinkle with pepper and nutmeg.
• Place steamed cauliflower in the prepared baking dish; pour cheese sauce over cauliflower. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and browned, about 25 minutes.