Description
Delectable creamed cauliflower brings Italian comfort to home kitchens with minimal ingredients. Rich parmesan and cream create a silky side dish perfect for weekend meals beside roasted meats or as a standalone vegetable course.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 3 tbsps (45 mL) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (480 mL) milk (whole or 2%)
- ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Steaming Preparation: Fill a large saucepan with salted water and bring to a vigorous boil. Situate a steamer basket inside and delicately arrange cauliflower, allowing it to steam until tender yet resilient, approximately 35-40 minutes.
- Roux Creation: In a separate saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and gradually sprinkle flour, whisking continuously to develop a smooth, golden base without any pesky lumps.
- Sauce Development: Progressively introduce milk into the roux, pouring in modest increments while maintaining constant whisking. Simmer the mixture gently, watching it thicken over 5-7 minutes and transform into a velvety sauce.
- Flavor Enhancement: Elevate the sauce’s profile by incorporating salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a subtle hint of nutmeg or cayenne. Taste and calibrate seasonings to achieve a harmonious flavor balance.
- Final Assembly: Once cauliflower is perfectly steamed and drained, tenderly integrate it into the creamy sauce, ensuring each floret becomes luxuriously enrobed. Transfer to a serving dish and optionally garnish with finely chopped parsley or a delicate sprinkle of grated cheese for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Control Steaming Time: Cook cauliflower precisely 35-40 minutes to maintain perfect tender-crisp texture without becoming mushy or waterlogged.
- Prevent Roux Lumps: Whisk butter and flour continuously, adding flour gradually to create smooth, golden base without clumping or burning.
- Balance Sauce Consistency: Pour milk incrementally while constantly whisking, allowing sauce to simmer and thicken naturally for silky, luxurious texture.
- Customize Seasoning Levels: Experiment with nutmeg, cayenne, or herbs to personalize flavor profile, tasting and adjusting seasonings for individual preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 158
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg