Cauliflower Say Cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 pounds)
- 4 12 ounces cheddar cheese, grated and divided
- 12 cup breadcrumbs, homemade coarse
- 1 whole egg
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 12 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 14 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 14 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 12 cup heavy cream
- Grease an 11 by 7-inch glass baking dish with the butter and set aside.
- Position 1 oven rack in the middle position and 1 in the top position and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Place the cauliflower in a small glass bowl, stalk end up.
- Use a paring knife to remove the lower leaves.
- Trim the large florets off of the stem, keeping them as intact as possible.
- Try to keep the size uniformly large and make as few cuts as possible.
- Discard the leaves and inner stem.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 4 minutes.
- Rest, still covered in plastic, for another 4 minutes.
- Uncover and rest for 4 to 5 more minutes while preparing the rest of the dish.
- Combine 4 ounces of the cheese, the bread crumbs, egg, salt, mustard, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne in a large mixing bowl.
- When 1 minute remains on the cauliflower rest period, microwave the cream on high for 30 seconds.
- Add the cream to the bowl with the cheese mixture and stir to combine.
- Using your hands and a tea towel if the cauliflower is still hot, rub the large florets between your hands to break up the curds.
- (chop the stems and add back to the dish or save it for soup.
- This is a better use, then throwing good food out).
- Add the curds to the cream mixture and stir until the cheese is thoroughly melted and combined.
- Spread the cauliflower mixture in the prepared baking dish, place on the middle rack, and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the baking dish and turn the broiler to high.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 ounce cheese atop the cauliflower.
- Place on the top rack and broil until the top is bubbly and appropriately brown, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Rest 10 minutes before serving.
unsalted butter, head cauliflower, cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, kosher salt, mustard powder, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, heavy cream
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/cauliflower-say-cheese-469893 (may not work)