Cauliflower A La Creme Recipes

CREAMED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Put cauliflower into a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cover with water and bring to boiling. Cook cauliflower until just tender, about 10 minutes. Do not overcook or the final product will be mushy. Drain water. Add milk, butter, salt, and pepper to the saucepan with the cauliflower. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring often to prevent milk from scalding, about 5 minutes.
• Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl until cornstarch has dissolved. Add to boiling milk-cauliflower mixture. Simmer until sauce starts to thicken, about 5 minutes.

CAULIFLOWER GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook the cauliflower florets in a large pot of boiling salted water for 5 to 6 minutes, until tender but still firm. Drain.
• Meanwhile, 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 hot milk 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 1 teaspoon of salt, the pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup of the Gruyere, and the Parmesan.
• Pour 1/3 of the sauce on the bottom of an 8 by 11 by 2-inch baking dish. Place the drained cauliflower on top and then spread the rest of the sauce evenly on top. Combine the bread crumbs with the remaining 1/4 cup of Gruyere and sprinkle on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle over the gratin. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is browned. Serve hot or at room temperature.

CAULIFLOWER SOUP (CREME DU BARRY)

Steps:

• Combine the oil and butter in a large saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and stirring frequently, allow them cook slowly for 10 minutes. Do not brown.
• Stir in the cauliflower, potatoes, and stock. Season with the salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are very tender. Remove form the heat and allow to cool slightly.
• Transfer to a blender or a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Process until smooth. Transfer to a clean saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Taste and adjust the seasoning. If the soup is too thick, thin with the milk.
• Pour an equal portion into each of 4 warm bowls. Lay a parsley leaf in the center.

CREME DE LA GRAND' TANTE (CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER SOUP)

Steps:

• Separate the cauliflower head into florets and steam until soft, about 15 minutes. Purée in a food processor.
• Heat chicken broth until boiling. Add cauliflower purée, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Remove from the heat, stir in the milk and taste. If it is too salty, add a little more milk. Add the butter, and stir until it melts. Whisk egg yolks and 1/2 cup water in a bowl until blended. Pour through a sieve into the soup. Whisk soup until blended.
• Return soup to the stove and whisk over medium-low heat until it thickens into a cream. Taste and add salt if necessary.

CREAMY CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring cauliflower and 1 in. of water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 6-7 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain well; set aside. , In another saucepan, saute garlic in butter for 1 minute. Stir in flour until blended; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Remove from the heat; stir in the cauliflower, bacon, salt, pepper and cayenne. Pour into a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. , Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

CHEESY BAKED PENNE WITH CAULIFLOWER AND CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Cook cauliflower in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Using large sieve, transfer cauliflower to bowl. Add tomatoes to pot; cook 1 minute. Remove from water; peel and dice tomatoes. Reserve pot of water.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower; sauté until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and green onions. Cook 1 minute to blend flavors. Remove from heat. Season with coarse salt and pepper.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour and stir 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in cream. Cook until sauce thickens, whisking occasionally, about 4 minutes. Add 2 cups Comté cheese; whisk until melted and sauce is smooth. Whisk in 1/2 cup Parmesan, then crème fraîche and mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Return reserved pot of water to boil. Add pasta and cook until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain; return pasta to same pot. Stir in cauliflower mixture and sauce.
• Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Spoon in half of pasta mixture; sprinkle with 1/2 cup Comté cheese. Top with remaining pasta mixture and 1/2 cup Comté cheese. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in small skillet. Add breadcrumbs and toss to coat. Remove from heat; mix in 1/4 cup Parmesan. Sprinkle crumbs over pasta. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake pasta uncovered until heated through and bubbling, about 35 minutes.
• *Sold at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

CAULIFLOWER A LA CREME

Steps:

• Trim cauliflower and cut or pull it into about 16 fairly large flowerettes. The weight will be about 2 pounds.
• Bring enough water to boil to cover cauliflower when added. Add salt and milk. Bring to boil, cover and cook about 7 minutes. Drain.
• Blend thoroughly in food processor or electric blender. There should be about 5 cups.
• Heat butter in heavy saucepan and add cauliflower, salt, pepper, nutmeg and cream. Stir to blend and heat until piping hot.