Cheesy Cauliflower Dippers Recipes

CAULIFLOWER SOUP AND GARLIC AND CHEESE SOURDOUGH "DIPPERS"

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat up the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter, over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cauliflower florets and stir with a wooden spoon. Add celery, onion and thyme and cook for 3 minutes. Push the vegetables to 1 side of the pot. Melt 1 more tablespoon of butter on empty side of pot and add flour to the butter. Cook for 1 minute, stirring the flour in the butter. Mix in chicken broth and half-and-half. Bring up to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Puree soup using an emersion blender, food processor or blender and return to pot. I like to leave it a little chunky. Check seasoning and add a dash of hot sauce, if desired.
• Garnish soup with hot pepper sauce, chopped parsley or chives and serve with grated cheese to sprinkle on top.
• Preheat broiler.
• Toast English muffin halves and then place on a cookie sheet. In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the garlic over low heat. Brush toasted muffins with garlic butter and top with lots of grated cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Sprinkle a little paprika over toasts, then place under broiler until cheeses are melted and browned. Serve cheesy toasts with soup for dipping.

BAKED CHEESY CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
• Place cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup water. Microwave until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
• Whisk egg and flour together in a bowl. Add milk, salt, and pepper. Pour over cauliflower florets. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese and paprika on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and cauliflower is soft, 30 to 40 minutes.

LOADED CHEESY CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• 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, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and let cool 10 minutes.
• Combine mozzarella cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, 1/2 the bacon bits, and chives in a large bowl. Add cauliflower; mix well. Pour mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle remaining bacon bits and Cheddar cheese on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER DIP WITH BACON

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Use pulsing action of food processor to process cauliflower until chopped to pea-size pieces. (Some recognizable small florets may still remain.) Place in large microwaveable bowl; stir in water.
• Microwave on HIGH 3 min.; stir. If necessary, continue microwaving 2 min. or until any larger cauliflower pieces are crisp-tender. Drain cauliflower.
• Cook bacon in medium cast-iron skillet on medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet; drain on paper towels. Discard all but 1 Tbsp. drippings from skillet.
• Add yellow onions to reserved drippings; cook 3 to 4 min. or until crisp-tender, stirring frequently. Add cream cheese and hot sauce; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until cream cheese is completely melted and sauce is well blended. Stir in cauliflower, mayo and 1-1/2 cups shredded cheese; smooth top.
• Crumble bacon; sprinkle over dip. Top with remaining shredded cheese.
• Bake 25 to 30 min. or until dip is heated through and top is golden brown. Sprinkle with green onions.

CHEESY ROASTED GARLIC AND CAULIFLOWER DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Coat cauliflower with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and spread out onto a baking sheet.
• Chop tops off garlic cloves and place on a sheet of aluminum foil. Drizzle cloves with remaining olive oil and wrap foil to create a pouch; place on the baking sheet with the cauliflower.
• Roast in the preheated oven, tossing cauliflower halfway through, until tender, about 25 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and allow cauliflower to cool slightly. Unwrap garlic cloves and discard foil. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine 1 cup Cheddar cheese and yogurt in a food processor; blend until smooth. Add cauliflower and squeeze garlic cloves in as well. Process, scraping down the sides as needed, until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a baking dish and top with remaining Cheddar.
• Bake until top begins to brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, garnish with green onions, and serve.