Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Cauliflower Au Gratin

This is the only fail safe way I can get Oliver and Alex to eat cauliflower. Don't get me wrong they eat it in a stirfry, as a vegetable with gravy but give them a Cauliflower Au Gratin and they are literally in heaven.
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This is a fairly straight forward recipe even though I have classed the difficulty of medium. If you do not get the cheese sauce smooth and thick the dish will just not come together.
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Cauliflower Au Gratin
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Serves 8
Points per serve: 2.5
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cooking spray
1 head of cauliflower
45g butter
3 tablespoons plain flour
3 cups skim milk
60g grated tasty/cheddar cheese
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
ground white pepper
salt
1 slice white bread, made into fine breadcrumbs
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Preheat oven to 180 deg C.
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Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray.
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Cut the cauliflower into medium, even sized florets. Place in a large microwave proof dish, add a little water, cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 5 - 8 minutes or until florets are beginning to become almost tender. Remove from water and arrange in casserole dish so all florets are in a single layer.
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Make cheese sauce by placing the butter in a large saucepan and melt over a medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine into a roux for approximately 1 minute. Remove from heat and slowly add the milk, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth. Place over a medium heat, still constantly stirring add dijon mustard and season with salt and pepper. Continue to stir until mixture starts the thicken. Remove from heat and stir in 30g of the cheese.
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Pour cheese sauce over cauliflower florets evenly. Combine breadcrumbs and remainder of cheese. Sprinkle over the cauliflower and spray top evenly with cooking spray.
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Place in oven and cook for 30 - 40 minutes or until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling. Serve immediately.
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