Cauliflower Cheese (on Steroids)

This vegetarian main or Sunday Lunch side gets a welcome umami boost from roasting the cauliflower and dressing it in mustard, thyme and parmesan.

Then we drench it in plenty of cheese sauce.  Cauliflower cheese..but not as we know it.

 To serve 4 as a generous side or 2 as a main.

Cauliflower:

1 whole cauliflower, halved (it roasts more evenly this way)

1 clove of garlic, halved

2 tsp dijon mustard

2 TBSP avocado oil 

1/4 tsp salt

1 TBSP grated parmesan

1 tsp thyme leaves

Method:

Rub garlic on the cauliflower (it feels a little odd but do it).

Mix the mustard, oil and salt to form a dressing and brush over the cauliflower.

Roast the cauliflower at 180 celsius fan for around 35 minutes.  It should be a little charred and the stalk firm but tender.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle on the parmesan and thyme.

Whilst the cauliflower is in the oven, we have a good amount of time (not more thyme) to make the cheese sauce.

Sauce:

450ml whole milk (warmed)

2 TBSP unsalted butter

2 TBSP cornflour

1 cup grated mature cheddar

1/4 cup grated parmesan

1/2 or more tsp salt flakes

Method:

Melt butter and flour in a pan and stir.

Whisk in the salt and warm milk, slowly.

Once the sauce is smooth and thickened, add the cheese and cook around 3 minutes so that the cheese is barely melted.

Taste, if it isn't cheesy enough, try adding more salt.