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Next-level cauliflower cheese

Next level cauliflower cheese in a baking dish

Next-level cauliflower cheese

Name: Next-level cauliflower cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: Serves 4 as a main, 6 as a side
Ingredients: 1 large cauliflower cut into large florets; 2 tbsp olive oil; pinch of cayenne pepper; 40g vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese finely grated; 50g butter; 40g plain flour; 600ml whole milk; 1 tsp mustard powder or English mustard; 1 tsp yeast extract (optional); 150g extra mature cheddar most grated, some cubed; grating of nutmeg; 3 tbsp dried breadcrumbs (panko work well); 2 tbsp crispy onions

Barney Desmazery

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Serves 4 as a main, 6 as a side

Easy

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 1 hr

A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.70 ratingsRate

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Love roasted cauliflower? We've paired it with a rich cheese sauce that packs a punch, as well as spices and crispy onions

Egg-free

Nut-free

Vegetarian

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Ingredients

Nutrition

Units:

MetricUS

1 large cauliflower

cut into large florets
2 tbsp olive oil
pinch of cayenne pepper
40g vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese

finely grated

For the sauce

50g butter
40g plain flour
600ml whole milk
1 tsp mustard powder

or English mustard
1 tsp yeast extract

(optional)
150g extra mature cheddar

most grated, some cubed
grating of nutmeg

For the topping

3 tbsp dried breadcrumbs

(panko work well)
2 tbsp crispy onions

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Nutrition: Per serving (6)

kcal407
fat27g
saturates15g
carbs22g
sugars9g

low
fibre3g
protein17g
salt1g

Method

step 1

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.
step 2

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.
step 3

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.

Recipe from Good Food magazine, January 2022

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A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.70 ratings

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