Are you craving a comforting and flavorful side dish that's not only delicious but also a healthier alternative? Look no further than puffed cauliflower cheese. This innovative take on the classic cauliflower cheese features a crispy, golden-brown cauliflower crust topped with a creamy, gooey cheese sauce. The result is a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
Inside this comprehensive guide, you'll find a collection of delectable puffed cauliflower cheese recipes that cater to diverse dietary preferences. Whether you're a vegetarian seeking a meatless option, a gluten-free enthusiast, or simply looking for a lighter version of the traditional dish, we've got you covered. Our recipes include a classic puffed cauliflower cheese recipe that stays true to the original, a vegetarian version that swaps out the cheese sauce for a flavorful vegetable-based alternative, and a gluten-free option that uses almond flour to create a crispy crust. Additionally, we offer a low-carb version that utilizes a cauliflower and almond flour crust and a zesty Mexican-inspired recipe that incorporates spices and fresh cilantro for a vibrant twist.
PUFFED CAULIFLOWER CHEESE
This is a delicious dish that can easily be used as a main dish. This is a recipe that I only follow measurements on the milk, the rest is by eye only so a very easy and simple meal.
Provided by STUCKINLAMADD
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes Vegetarian
Time 45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Place the cauliflower florets in a saucepan with about 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 8 minutes, or until tender. Drain, and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a small pan. Stir in the flour, and cook over low heat for 2 minutes. Gradually stir in the milk, and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in most of the bread crumbs. Remove from the heat, and stir in the egg yolks, cheese, and finally cauliflower.
- Whip the egg whites in a large glass or metal bowl until stiff. Fold the cauliflower mixture into the egg whites. Transfer to a ceramic or glass 2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining bread crumbs on top.
- Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until puffed and golden.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 382.5 calories, Carbohydrate 15.8 g, Cholesterol 225.2 mg, Fat 27.9 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 18.7 g, SaturatedFat 16.6 g, Sodium 451.9 mg, Sugar 6.4 g
PUFFED CAULIFLOWER CHEESE
This is a wonderful souffle-like dish that is so easy. It is one of the first dishes that I ever made that actually came out looking like the picture in the book.
Provided by Mysterygirl
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Wash cauliflower; remove stalk end.
- Cut into quarters; remove hard stalk.
- Divide into florets; cook in boiling salted water until tender; drain.
- Heat butter in pan.
- Add flour; stir over low heat 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Add milk gradually; stir until smooth.
- Return to heat; stir until boiling.
- Add salt, pepper and most of bread crumbs.
- Stir in egg yolks, cheese and cauliflower; adjust seasonings to taste.
- Beat egg whites until stiff; fold into mixture.
- Put into greased ovenproof dish; sprinkle with remaining crumbs.
- Bake in preheated 400 degree oven about 30 minutes, until well risen and brown.
PUFFED CHEESE CAULIFLOWER
Great way to get your kids and hubby to eat there veggies. everything is great with cheese. I loved to fix this for the holidays but summer time when veggies are so great It is just good all the time. Lots of compliments from this one.
Provided by Char H
Categories Vegetables
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- 1. Steam Cauliflower till just fork tender--Do not over cook. in the mean time start your cheese sauce. melt butter in pan add flour stirring all the time with a whisk. Add milk and and continue to whisk it till it is slightly thick, Add salt and Pepper to your taste, Temper egg yolks with a little of the sauce and then add to the mixture. Mix well. Add cheese and keep mixing till you have a nice cheese sauce then remove from heat. Beat egg whites until stiff and then fold into the cheese sauce. After cauliflower is fork tender place in a sprayed casserole bowl now pour cheese sauce over and mix well. You might want to do this in another bowl first less messy that way and then add it to your casserole . sprinkle top with bread crumbs and bake in 400 oven 30-35 min.
- 2. Keep an eye on it the last 10 min to be sure the top is not getting to brown. cover lightly with foil if it is.
Tips:
- Choosing the right cauliflower: Select a large, firm head of cauliflower with tightly packed florets. Avoid heads with brown spots or blemishes.
- Cutting the cauliflower: For even cooking, cut the cauliflower into florets of similar size. This will help ensure that they all cook evenly.
- Using a food processor: If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the cauliflower by hand. However, using a food processor will make the process much faster and easier.
- Seasoning the cauliflower: Be generous with the seasonings when you're making puffed cauliflower cheese. This dish can handle a lot of flavor, so don't be afraid to add plenty of garlic, onion, salt, and pepper.
- Cooking the cauliflower: The key to getting perfectly puffed cauliflower cheese is to cook it at a high temperature. This will help the cauliflower puff up and get crispy.
- Serving the cauliflower: Puffed cauliflower cheese is best served immediately after it's cooked. This will ensure that the cheese is still melted and gooey.
Conclusion:
Puffed cauliflower cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It's also a great way to use up leftover cauliflower. With its crispy texture and cheesy flavor, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.
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