Best Lighter Cauliflower Cheese Recipes

CAULIFLOWER CHEESE

Steps:

• 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 the saucepan with a lid and steam cauliflower until tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk flour into melted butter; cook, stirring constantly until raw flour taste cooks off and mixture darkens, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Gradually whisk milk into butter mixture; cook, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens, about 8 minutes. Remove pot from heat; stir in Cheddar cheese. Season sauce with salt and white pepper.
• Stir steamed cauliflower into cheese sauce; season with salt and white pepper.

LIGHTER CAULIFLOWER CHEESE

Steps:

• Mix 2 tbsp of the milk with the cornflour and set aside. Press the garlic cloves in a garlic crusher to smash - but not crush - them. Put them in a pan with the rest of the milk and heat until just coming to the boil. Immediately remove from the heat and leave to infuse.
• Trim any leaves from the cauliflower and cut out the thick main stalk, then cut the cauliflower into florets. Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the cauliflower, return to the boil, then simmer for about 5 mins until just cooked but still with a bit of bite.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Tip the cauliflower into a large colander, drain well, then transfer to a shallow ovenproof dish, about 1.5 litres (see tip, left). Mix both cheeses together. Stir 2 heaped tbsp with the chives and a grinding of pepper, and reserve for sprinkling over.
• Stir the cornflour mix into the warm milk. Return the pan to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring, until thickened and smooth. Remove from the heat, discard the garlic, then stir in the cheese until it has melted. Stir in the mustard and buttermilk, and season with pepper. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower to evenly coat, then sprinkle over the reserved cheese mix. Bake for about 25 mins or until bubbling round the sides and golden on top.

LIGHT CREAMY CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Heat cauliflower in microwave for 5 minutes.
• Set aside.
• In a microwave safe container combine mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon and parmesan cheese; heat in microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.
• Spoon over cauliflower.
• Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts.
• Serve.
• Tip: Toasted almonds are also very good.