Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin

Step 1

Prep your ingredients.

2 lbs cauliflower florets. Remove the cores and wash the cauliflower thoroughly.

2 tablespoons butter

1 small onion finely diced

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1.5 cups whole milk. Using whole milk with add a richness and creaminess to your sauce.

Pinch of nutmeg. Adding nutmeg to milk-based sauces is a classic way of adding some depth and warmth to the sauce.

2 tablespoons chives. Use fresh or freeze-dried chives. Make sure to finely chop the fresh chives.

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese. Grate the cheese while it is fridge cold, it makes it much easier to grate. Use the sharpest cheddar you can find for maximum flavour.

Sea salt, season the sauce to taste.

Freshly ground black pepper, if you can, use freshly ground pepper. It makes a big difference in the flavour of the dish.

Step 2

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and set aside a 2 quart shallow baking dish.

Step 3

Steam the cauliflower for 5 minutes until just cooked.

Step 4

Sweat the chopped onions in butter over a medium-low heat until just starting to turn brown.

Step 5

Stir in the flour and cook 2 minutes.

Step 6

Pour in the milk, whisking constantly until fully combined with no flour lumps.

Step 7

Simmer 2-5 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until thick enough to leave a trail in the pan.

Step 8

Combine 1.5 cups of cheese, chives & nutmeg, off the heat. Stir well to combine until cheese is melted. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Step 9

Pour the cheese sauce over the blanched cauliflower in the baking dish. Try to get an even layer over the surface.

Step 10

Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the cauliflower in an even layer.

Step 11

Bake the cauliflower for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Serve!

Serve piping hot as a side dish with roast chicken, white fish or grilled red meat.

Print

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Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin

Yield: 6

Author: Emma Cerulli

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 45 MinTotal time: 55 Min

This is the definition of comfort. Cheesy, creamy sauce with tender cauliflower florets baked until golden and bubbling, what is not to love?

Ingredients US Metric

• 2 pounds cauliflower florets, washed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups whole milk
• pinch nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated, divided
• sea salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a 2 quart baking dish.
2. Steam cauliflower for 5 minutes until just softened. Let cool.
3. Heat butter until melted over medium heat in a skillet.
4. Sweat onions until very lightly browned.
5. Sprinkle flour over onions, stir and cook out flour for 2 minutes.
6. Turn heat down to low, pour in milk and whisk until no lumps appear.
7. Add nutmeg.
8. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened. The sauce should coat the back of a wooden spoon and show a clean line when swiped with a finger.
9. Off the heat, whisk in 1.5 cups of the cheddar cheese until fully combined with chives.
10. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper.
11. Dump cooled cauliflower into the baking dish.
12. Pour cheese sauce over cauliflower and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
13. Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
14. Serve hot.

Notes:

• If you want a super crusty, crunchy top, sprinkle with breadcrumbs before baking.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

278.08

Fat (grams)

19.13

Sat. Fat (grams)

10.80

Carbs (grams)

14.61

Fiber (grams)

3.85

Net carbs

10.76

Sugar (grams)

6.91

Protein (grams)

13.97

Sodium (milligrams)

422.68

Cholesterol (grams)

53.56

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cauliflower, cauliflower cheese, cauliflower gratin, cheese, sides

sides, dinner

English, European

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