Cauliflower Cheese

A bubbling, golden gratin of tender cauliflower under a rich mustardy cheese sauce, a non-negotiable part of a roast dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 large cauliflower, broken into florets
• 50g unsalted butter
• 50g plain flour
• 600ml whole milk
• 1 teaspoon English mustard
• 150g mature Cheddar, grated
• 25g Parmesan, grated
• Pinch of grated nutmeg
• Salt and black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas mark 6.

1. Cook the cauliflower florets in boiling salted water for about 5 minutes until just tender, then drain well and tip into a baking dish.
2. Melt the butter in a pan, stir in the flour and cook for a minute, then gradually whisk in the milk to make a smooth sauce.
3. Simmer gently until thickened, then stir in the mustard, most of the Cheddar, the nutmeg and seasoning.
4. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower, then scatter with the remaining Cheddar and the Parmesan.
5. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Notes

In the style of Nigella Lawson’s Cauliflower Cheese (nigella.com).