Delia Smith’s Cauliflower Cheese is made with cauliflower, Parmesan, Gruyère, half-fat crème fraîche, bay leaves, nutmeg, spring onions, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. This delicious Cauliflower Cheese recipe creates a hearty side dish that takes about 25 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 4 people.
Delia Smith Cauliflower Cheese Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower, separated into florets
- 1½ oz (40 g) Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano), finely grated, plus 1 heaping tablespoon extra to finish
- 1½ oz (40 g) Gruyère, finely grated
- 2 heaping tablespoons half-fat crème fraîche (or sour cream)
- 2 bay leaves, torn in half
- A little freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 spring onions, very finely chopped, including the green parts
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Salt and freshly milled black pepper
How To Make Delia Smith Cauliflower Cheese
- Steam the Cauliflower: Place cauliflower florets and some inner leaves in a steamer with bay leaves. Pour boiling water over, add nutmeg and salt, cover, and steam for about 12 minutes until tender. Test with a skewer for doneness, then transfer to a baking dish and cover to keep warm.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour 3 fl oz (75 ml) of steaming water into a saucepan, add crème fraîche, and simmer while whisking until slightly thickened. Add cheeses and heat gently for about 1 minute, whisking until melted. Season to taste.
- Assemble and Grill: Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower. Scatter spring onions and the remaining Parmesan on top, and sprinkle with cayenne pepper. Place under a hot grill until the cauliflower is browned and the sauce is bubbling.
Recipe Tips
- Steam the Cauliflower Evenly: Ensure the cauliflower florets are similar in size to cook evenly. If they’re uneven, some pieces may be overcooked while others are undercooked.
- Check Tenderness: Test the cauliflower with a skewer to make sure it’s tender before transferring it to the baking dish. Overcooked cauliflower can become mushy.
- Thicken the Sauce Properly: Simmer the crème fraîche with the steaming water until it thickens slightly before adding the cheeses. This helps achieve a creamy, smooth sauce.
- Melt Cheese Slowly: Add the cheeses to the sauce while it’s on low heat and whisk continuously to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth texture.
- Watch the Grill Closely: Keep an eye on the dish under the grill to prevent burning. The goal is a golden-brown top with bubbling sauce.
What Serve With Cauliflower Cheese?
This creamy Cauliflower Cheese pairs well with roast chicken, grilled steak, baked ham, or a fresh green salad. It can also be served alongside steamed vegetables, garlic bread, baked potatoes, or a simple quinoa salad for a tasty dinner.
How To Store Leftovers Cauliflower Cheese?
- Refrigerate: Let the leftover Cauliflower Cheese cool down to room temperature. Then, put it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Cool the Cauliflower Cheese to room temperature, then place it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze it for up to 2 months. To thaw, transfer it to the fridge for several hours or overnight before reheating.
How To Reheat Leftovers Cauliflower Cheese?
- In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the Cauliflower Cheese in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until it is warmed through.
- In The Microwave: Transfer the Cauliflower Cheese to a microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated evenly.
- On The Stove: Reheat the Cauliflower Cheese in a saucepan over low heat for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Add a splash of milk or cream if needed to loosen the sauce.
Delia Smith Cauliflower Cheese Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 165
- Total Fat: 10.5g
- Saturated Fat: 8.0g
- Cholesterol: 38mg
- Sodium: 248mg
- Potassium: 243mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 8.5g
- Dietary Fiber: 3.0g
- Sugars: 4.0g
- Protein: 14.0g
Try More Delia Smith Recipes:
- Delia Smith Meringue Pavlova
- Delia Smith Cauliflower Soup
- Delia Smith Lemon Curd
- Delia Smith Fish Pie With Egg
Delia Smith Cauliflower Cheese
Description
Delia Smith’s Cauliflower Cheese is made with cauliflower, Parmesan, Gruyère, half-fat crème fraîche, bay leaves, nutmeg, spring onions, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. This delicious Cauliflower Cheese recipe creates a hearty side dish that takes about 25 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 4 people.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Steam the Cauliflower: Place cauliflower florets and some inner leaves in a steamer with bay leaves. Pour boiling water over, add nutmeg and salt, cover, and steam for about 12 minutes until tender. Test with a skewer for doneness, then transfer to a baking dish and cover to keep warm.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour 3 fl oz (75 ml) of steaming water into a saucepan, add crème fraîche, and simmer while whisking until slightly thickened. Add cheeses and heat gently for about 1 minute, whisking until melted. Season to taste.
- Assemble and Grill: Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower. Scatter spring onions and the remaining Parmesan on top, and sprinkle with cayenne pepper. Place under a hot grill until the cauliflower is browned and the sauce is bubbling.
Notes
- Steam the Cauliflower Evenly: Ensure the cauliflower florets are similar in size to cook evenly. If they’re uneven, some pieces may be overcooked while others are undercooked.
- Check Tenderness: Test the cauliflower with a skewer to make sure it’s tender before transferring it to the baking dish. Overcooked cauliflower can become mushy.
- Thicken the Sauce Properly: Simmer the crème fraîche with the steaming water until it thickens slightly before adding the cheeses. This helps achieve a creamy, smooth sauce.
- Melt Cheese Slowly: Add the cheeses to the sauce while it’s on low heat and whisk continuously to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth texture.
- Watch the Grill Closely: Keep an eye on the dish under the grill to prevent burning. The goal is a golden-brown top with bubbling sauce.
Delia Smith Cauliflower Cheese