Cauliflower Cheese

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 medium cauliflower (approx 1lb/450g)
• 2 ounces butter
• 2 ounces all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
• 1 large pinch salt
• 1 pint milk
• 50 g cheddar cheese, grated plus extra for sprinkling on top
• fresh ground pepper

Recipe

• 1 heat the oven to 395f/200c/gas 7.
• 2 remove the green outer leaves from the cauliflower and steam whole over a pan of boiling water for 10 minutes.
• 3 remove the cauliflower from the heat and leave to cool.
• 4 place the butter and flour into a large saucepan.
• 5 over a low heat stir the butter and flour until the butter has melted and the flour is incorporated.
• 6 add the salt and mustard powder and continue stirring for 2 minutes.
• 7 turn the heat up to medium and add the milk in one go and whisk furiously until all a smooth sauce is formed.
• 8 continue stirring until the sauce is thickened and glossy (about 5 minutes).
• 9 if the sauce is very thick add a little more milk, the sauce should be thick but still runny.
• 10 add the grated cheese and stir until melted.
• 11 remove from the heat.
• 12 break the cauliflower florets from the thick, central stalk taking care not to break it into tiny pieces.
• 13 place the florets in a baking dish large enough to hold all the florets in one layer.
• 14 pour the thickened cheese sauce over the cauliflower ensuring all the florets are covered.
• 15 sprinkle with grated cheese and a good twist of black pepper.
• 16 bake in the hot oven until the sauce is bubbling and golden brown on the top, approximately 30 minutes.