Cheddar Basil Cauliflower Recipes

EASY CHEESY LOADED CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with butter. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
• Transfer the cauliflower to a small 1.5 quart (1.4 L) casserole dish in a single layer. (Line the pan unless it's glass or stoneware. If there's too much cauliflower to fit in a single layer, roast on a larger baking sheet instead.) Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until crisp-tender.
• Meanwhile, in the same bowl, whisk together the sour cream and heavy cream, until smooth. Stir in the minced garlic, half of the cheddar cheese, half of the bacon bits, and half of the green onions. If desired, season sauce with sea salt and black pepper. (Don't oversalt - it will get more salty as the cheese melts later.)
• When the cauliflower is done roasting, take it out and leave the oven on. Add the cauliflower to the bowl and mix with the sauce.
• Return the cauliflower mixture to the casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese and bacon bits.
• Bake for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese melts. Top with remaining green onions.

CHEDDAR CHEESE-STUFFED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Sprinkle generously with salt. Trim the base of the cauliflower so the stem is flat to the head but without cutting off any florets. Blanch the cauliflower until just beginning to soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to a plate to cool slightly.
• In a small skillet, heat the butter until melted. Add the breadcrumbs and 1/2 teaspoon salt and toast until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool completely. Stir in the Parmesan and basil.
• Gently begin to create space in between the florets and stuff each space with a log of Cheddar. Continue until all the pieces of cheese are used. Press the toasted breadcrumbs on top of the cauliflower. Place in a small baking dish and bake until the cauliflower is tender all the way through and the breadcrumbs are golden, about 20 minutes.

CAULIFLOWER-CHEDDAR SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until they start softening, about 4 minutes. Add the cauliflower, bay leaf, rosemary, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until the cauliflower starts browning, 5 minutes. Stir in the flour until absorbed, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and milk; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat; simmer until the cauliflower is tender, 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.
• Working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth (or puree in the pot with an immersion blender). Return the soup to the pot over medium heat. Stir in the cheese until melted; add up to 1 cup water if the soup is too thick.
• Add the sherry; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with nutmeg and serve with cheese straws.

CHEDDAR MASHED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, bring 1 in. of water to a boil. Add cauliflower; cover and cook until tender, 5-10 minutes. Drain. Mash cauliflower with the milk, rosemary and salt. Stir in cheese until melted. If desired, top with additional fresh rosemary and coarsely ground black pepper.

CAULIFLOWER CHEDDAR BAKE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, place 1 in. of salted water; add the cauliflower. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 4-6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain. , Stir in the cheese, sour cream, onion, 2 tablespoons butter and salt. Transfer to a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. , Combine the bread crumbs and remaining butter; sprinkle over the top. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until heated through.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375°F. Arrange a steamer rack over a large pot of boiling water.
• Remove the green outer leaves from the cauliflower, place it on the steamer rack, and steam until tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl to cool. Once the cauliflower is cool enough to handle, use your hands to gently break the florets from the thick central stalk-try to break the cauliflower into large florets rather than small pieces. Arrange the florets, in one layer, in a 12- by 8-inch baking dish and set aside.
• In a large heavy saucepan over moderate heat, melt the butter. Reduce the heat to low, add the flour and salt, and whisk until both are incorporated and the mixture turns golden brown, about 2 minutes. Raise the heat to moderate and add the milk, whisking constantly, until a smooth sauce forms (the sauce should be thick and glossy, but still runny), about 5 minutes. (If the sauce is too thick, gradually whisk in additional milk until the desired consistency is achieved.) Add 1 cup of the grated cheese and whisk until melted, about 1 minute. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower, making sure to cover all the florets. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese and season with pepper, then bake until the cauliflower is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling, about 30 minutes.

CHEDDAR CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Place the cauliflower and water in a microwave-safe dish.
• Cover and cook on high for 4-1/2 minutes and stir.
• Cook 4-6 minutes longer or until tender.
• Drain.
• Combine sour cream, chives, salt and pepper and spoon over the cauliflower.
• Sprinkle with cheese.
• Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 1/2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

CHEDDAR CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Place the cauliflower and water in a 2-qt. microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 4-1/2 minutes; stir. Cook 4-6 minutes longer or until tender. Drain. , Combine sour cream, chives, salt and pepper; spoon over the cauliflower. Sprinkle with cheese. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-1/2 minutes or until cheese is melted.