I had a mad craving for Mac-n-Cheese this weekend- so much that I bought the ingredients to make a mushroom, ham and swiss version for dinner.
However, that idea went out the door when I bought some fantastic cauliflower today and thought subbing it for the pasta sounded like a great idea. I mean, people eat cauliflower with cheese sauce.
The (jolly) Green Giant (Ho! Ho! Ho!) sells it in vacuum sealed packages. It has to be good, right? WRONG! It was AMAZING!
This dish is every bit as satisfying as the pasta version. It's rich and creamy without all the cream in a traditional gratin or cheese sauce- the secret is chicken broth.
Rich and decadent, this dish can stand on its own as a main course. Enjoy!cauliflower gratin
1 (2-3 pound)cauliflower, cut into large florets
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cup chicken stock*
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
3/4 cup freshly grated Gruyere, divided
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup cubed ham or pancetta (optional)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
method
Cook the cauliflower florets in a large pot of boiling water for 5 to 6 minutes, until tender but still firm. Drain.
Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Pour the chicken stock and whipping cream into the butter-flour mixture and stir until it comes to a boil. Boil, whisking constantly, for 1 minute, or until thickened. Off the heat, add the pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup of the Gruyere, and the Parmesan.
Add cauliflower and ham to the sauce and toss to coat. Pour mixture into oven proof baking dish
Combine the thyme and bread crumbs with the remaining 1/4 cup of Gruyere. Drizzle olive oil over mixture and toss. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture on top of cauliflower.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is browned. Serve hot or at room temperature.
*For my Ovo_Lacto Vegetarian Friends: substitute vegetable stock for the chicken stock. And of course omit the ham/pancetta.
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| gooey cheesy deliciousness |
