.png)
Easy Cauliflower-Cheese Bake
As we suddenly spend lots of
isolated home time with the coronavirus everywhere, cooking and eating are one
of the freedoms we still have. But to minimize public exposure at supermarkets,
we’re using everything in our fridges.
Christina and I were given a
slightly old cauliflower by one of our kids in Athens as they headed off to
spring break camping ten days ago, back before everything changed in our lives.
This evening I quickly turned it into our vegetable dish for dinner, using a
simplified cauliflower gratin approach and taking advantage of items on hand.
If I had more interesting cheese
available, this could have been even more special. But even using a fairly dull
mild cheddar, the dish still turned out very tasty. My “breadcrumbs” were
matzoh meal left over from a cooking class (Hanukah latkes in my holiday food
class in December). Here’s my impromptu “Cauliflower-Cheese Bake.”
The recipe serves three to four.
1 medium head of cauliflower
1/4 pound or more cheese, grated
(Gruyère or sharp cheddar preferred)
Salt
Pepper
Grated nutmeg, optional
2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs,
cracker crumbs, or matzoh meal
2 tablespoons olive oil
Cut the cauliflower into small
flowerets and place in a microwaveable dish, such as a glass pie plate or a
small casserole. Sprinkle lightly with water and cover with a sheet of waxed
paper. Heat in a microwave until cauliflower becomes crisp-tender, about 5-6
minutes, testing every two minutes.
Remove waxed paper. Sprinkle
with salt and pepper to taste, plus optionally a little grated nutmeg. Mix well
to distribute seasonings. Spread shredded cheese over the cauliflower, then
breadcrumbs (etc.) and finally the olive oil.
Bake in a hot oven (375 degrees)
until cheese is well melted and cauliflower browns a little on high points.
Serve hot.
