Cauliflower With Two Cheeses And Creme Fraiche Recipes

CAULIFLOWER WITH TWO CHEESES AND CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• First of all place the cauliflower florets and a few of the inner leaves in a steamer with the pieces of bay leaf tucked amongst it. Pour in some boiling water from the kettle, add some freshly grated nutmeg and salt, then cover and steam the cauliflower till tender - about 12 minutes. You can also watch how to do this in our Cookery School Video. After this time, test the thickest parts with a skewer to see if they are tender, then remove it to the baking dish and cover with a cloth to keep warm. Now pour 3 fl oz (75 ml) of the steaming water into a saucepan, add the crème fraîche and simmer, whisking well, until it has thickened very slightly, then add the cheeses. Heat this gently for about 1 minute, whisking, until the cheeses have melted, then season the sauce to taste. Now pour the sauce over the cauliflower and scatter the spring onions and remaining Parmesan over, then sprinkle with the cayenne. Finally, place the dish under the hot grill until the cauliflower has browned and the sauce is bubbling.

TWO CHEESE CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to its highest setting.
• Place the florets and a few of the inner leaves in a steamer with the pieces of bay leaf tucked amongst it.
• Pour in some boiling water from the kettle, sprinkle over some freshly grated nutmeg and salt, then cover and steam until tender.
• This should take about 12 minutes.
• After this time, test the thickest parts with a skewer to see if they are tender, then remove it to the baking dish and cover with a cloth to keep warm.
• Now pour 3 fl oz of the steaming water into a saucepan, add the crème fraîche and simmer.
• Whisk well until it has thickened very slightly, then add the cheeses.
• Heat this gently for about a minute, whisking, until the cheeses have melted.
• Season the sauce to taste and pour over the cauliflower.
• Scatter the spring onions and remaining parmesan over the dish, then sprinkle with the cayenne.
• Finally, place the dish under the hot grill until the cauliflower has browned and the sauce is bubbling.

A SOUP OF CAULIFLOWER AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large, deep pan. Add the onion and garlic and fry until soft, but don't let them color. Boil the cauliflower in about 3 1/2 cups (850ml) water until tender (about eight to ten minutes). Add the bay leaves to the onion, then add the cauliflower and its cooking water. Bring to a boil and add sea salt and black pepper. Cover and simmer for fifteen minutes, until the vegetables are truly soft. Remove the pan from the heat, discard the bay leaves, and let the soup cool slightly. Then, in two batches, purée the soup in a blender. Pour the mixture back into the pan and stir in the crème fraîche, mustard, and grated cheese. Bring the soup slowly back to a simmer.
• To finish, preheat the broiler. Toast the bread on both sides, cover with the grated cheese, and let it melt under the hot broiler. Cut into triangles and float them on the soup.

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.