Description
Bobby Flay’s cauliflower gratin combines creamy cheeses with roasted cauliflower for a luxurious side dish. Hearty ingredients and expert techniques create a comforting plate you’ll crave at dinner gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 head cauliflower (cut into florets)
- ½ lb (226 g) monterey jack cheese (coarsely grated)
- 2 cups (480 ml) parmesan cheese (grated)
- 6 oz (170 g) goat cheese (cut into small pieces)
- 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
- Salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preparation Setup: Position the oven rack centrally and preheat to 400°F (204°C), creating an ideal roasting environment for the cauliflower gratin.
- Mixture Creation: Combine cauliflower florets with heavy cream and blend a trio of cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, ensuring a rich and cohesive coating that envelops each vegetable piece.
- Seasoning Layer: Generously distribute freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt throughout the cheese-cream mixture, thoroughly integrating the flavors to enhance the overall taste profile.
- Roasting Process: Carefully transfer the baking dish into the preheated oven and roast for 25-35 minutes, allowing the edges to caramelize to a golden brown while the sauce transforms into a thick, bubbling consistency.
- Resting and Serving: After removing the gratin from the oven, let it settle for 8-12 minutes to stabilize the sauce and intensify the flavor spectrum, then serve warm as an elegant side dish or vegetarian centerpiece.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, aged cheeses for maximum flavor depth and creamy texture, avoiding pre-shredded varieties that can reduce melting quality.
- Floret Preparation Tip: Cut cauliflower into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent sauce coverage throughout the dish.
- Prevent Watery Results: Pat cauliflower florets dry with paper towels before mixing to eliminate excess moisture and guarantee a thick, luxurious sauce consistency.
- Resting Period Importance: Allow the gratin to rest after baking, which helps the sauce set and intensifies the overall flavor profile, creating a more cohesive and delicious final dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 55 g
- Saturated Fat: 34 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg