Traditional English Cheddar Cauliflower Cheese Gratin Recipes

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.

CLASSIC CAULIFLOWER AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook uncovered until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain.
• Combine sour cream, Cheddar cheese, onion, melted butter, red pepper flakes, and salt in a baking dish. Mix in cauliflower. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 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.

FOUR-CHEESE CAULIFLOWER GRATIN

Steps:

• For the sauce, melt the butter in a shallow saucepan. When it's just starting to sizzle, stir in the flour to make a paste. Cook for a minute, then gradually whisk in the milk until you have a smooth, thick sauce. Stir through the mustard, cream cheese, truffle oil (if using) and parmesan, and cook over a low heat until thickened. Season with lots of black pepper.
• Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Trim the leaves off the cauliflowers and slice into rough steaks about 1cm thick. Don't worry about the outside bits not being slices - it will all be used. Assemble the dish a bit like a lasagne. Spoon a quarter of the cheese sauce into a large baking dish and spread it out, then add half of the cauliflower. Repeat the process, finishing with a thick layer of sauce. Scatter over the mozzarella, and the gruyère or cheddar and crispy onions.
• Bake for 1 hr 30-1 hr 45 mins until the cheese is golden and the cauliflower is soft but not mushy. If you want a golden finish, you can grill it (keep an eye on it) or leave it in when you turn the oven up for the crackling, if making the salt & vinegar roast pork as well. Once baked, leave to stand for 10 mins before serving in the middle of the table.