Jeweled Cauliflower Cheese

Wednesday 9 February 2011



I think cauliflower has to be one of our favourite vegetables. I know, I say that about everything, but it's true!! We, love, love, love Cauliflower!



We love it in any way shape or form . . . raw in salads and with dips . . . steamed with just a bit of butter and seasoning . . . roasted with some olive oil, salt and pepper until crisply caramelized on the edges and garnished with Parmesan cheese . . . slathered in cheese sauce and baked until golden . . . in soups and stews . . . you name it. If it has cauliflower in it, we're both there like a shot!!



This is a delicious twist on a traditional Cauliflower Cheese.



Tender pieces of cauliflower in a light cheese sauce with a hint of mustard . . . sprinkled with red onion, cherry tomatoes and more cheese . . . and then baked until bubbling and golden brown.



This makes a delicious Vegetarian lunch, or light supper, when served with a lovely salad on the side, and perhaps some crusty bread to soak up all those lovely cheesy juices.



I can't wait until tomorrow to have the leftovers. Mmmm . . . mmmm . . . if I know anything about cooking and flavours, (and we all know I do), I just KNOW it will taste even better then for having sat overnight!

Funny how that goes, but it seems to be true of a lot of things!




*Jeweled Cauliflower Cheese*
serves 4
Printable Recipe

A delicious version of cauliflower cheese with the addition of some chopped red onion and sliced cherry tomatoes. Low in calories as well, as no cream is used.

1 3/4 pound of cauliflower florets
1 ounce plain flour (2 TBS)
300ml of vegetable stock ( 1 cup)
4 ounces of grated strong cheddar cheese (1 cup)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 small red onion, peeled and finely chopped
5 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved (about a cup)

Preheat the oven to 190*C/375*F/ gas mark 5. Cook the cauliflower in boiling water for about 6 to 8 minutes until crispy tender. Drain well. In another saucepan, whisk together the flour and vegetable stock until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in half of the grated cheese and stir to melt. Whisk in the mustard.

Place the cauliflower into a shallow baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over top. Sprinkle with the chopped onion and the halved cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and bubbling.

12 comments

  1. I am essentially addicted to roasted cauliflower! Looking forward to trying this out!

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  2. It's my favorite too..I swear we like the same foods! I do a mixture like this and poor it right over a head in a big bowl and cook it in the micro...so good! ;D

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  3. Oh, I love it, too...and this looks amazingly delicious, Marie!

    Hoping your day is going beautifully...it's been so nice & warm here today...I'm actually hoping to get to bed early tonight...!

    Sending so much love across the sea to my dear friend...love you loads!

    Julie

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  4. Thats what I call a seriously poshed up cauliflower cheese. Looks so wonderful I'm going to have change my dinner plans for tonight so I can include a big helping of this ... what are you doing to me Marie lol

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  5. Oooh what a great idea to put tomatoes in! Total yum on a plate Marie!

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  6. I love this recipes name . . . and it looks VERY tasty too!

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  7. I love it's name too jeweled:)..It really does look like that..Big fan of cauliflower:)

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  8. I love it too. Pureed, roasted, raw, steam, fried. I've even made a cauliflower pizza base.

    http://gettingfatpercentagedown.blogspot.com/search/label/cauliflower%20pizza

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  9. I have a dear friend who gave me her mother's recipe for ham, cheese and cauliflower bake. Her mom would make much the same recipe but would use leftover ham and cauliflower from the day before. I bet if I add the tomatoes and onions from your recipe, I'll have pretty much the perfect dish.

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  10. Loving the use of the tomatoes in this. Their tart sweetness will be a perfect counterfoil to the salty cheese and crunchy texture of the cauliflower. Lovely stuff.

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  11. Marie, Your Jeweled Cauliflower Cheese looks delicious. Although I have not commented on your blog, I have enjoyed reading for quite some time. Please accept my gratitude with this Stylish Blog Award.

    --
    Happy Eating from The Old Kitchen!

    Cotehele

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  12. I love this recipe of yours. Very interesting. I have never tried something like this with tomatoes.

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