Spicy Baked Cauliflower Dish
Chew on this: Swap the cheesy sauce for a spicy, creamy one and give your cauliflower casserole a vibrant twist! This panko-free dish will captivate your taste buds with its crunchy topping and delicious sauce. Here's the recipe to tickle your fancy.
Ingredients list:- 2.5 lbs of cauliflower ( approximately 2 small heads), cut into 1-inch florets- 7 tablespoons of unsalted butter, plus more for coating the dish- 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots (about 1 to 2 medium)- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour- 2 cups whole milk- 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce- 1 bay leaf- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning the cooking water and seasoning the breadcrumbs- Freshly ground black pepper- 1.5 cups of your preferred crunchy topping (choose from regular breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, cornmeal or corn flakes, oat flour or ground oats, nuts or seeds, or unsweetened coconut flakes)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 13-by-9-inch baking dish by coating it with butter.
- Boil a large saucepan full of generously salted water. Add the cauliflower and cook until just knife-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In the same saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter, then add the shallots. Cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
- Lower the heat, add the flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk, mustard, Worcestershire, bay leaf, cayenne, and measured salt. Season with pepper. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about 10-12 minutes. Discard the bay leaf.
- Add the reserved cauliflower to the sauce and stir to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and arrange in an even layer. Bake until bubbly and the edges start to brown, about 35 to 40 minutes.
- While the casserole bakes, prepare your preferred crunchy topping. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium frying pan and add your chosen topping. Season with salt and pepper, cook until lightly browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and set aside.
- Once the casserole is done, let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle the toasted topping evenly over top and serve. Enjoy your creative and flavorful spin on cauliflower casserole!
Bonus Tips: Experiment with various topping ingredients for a unique twist on this classic dish. Adjust the salt in the recipe according to the seasoning of your selected topping. Some options include regular breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, cornmeal or corn flakes, oat flour or ground oats, nuts or seeds, or unsweetened coconut flakes. Enjoy your chef-inspired cauliflower casserole! 🍴😋
- For an uncategorized dish, consider this nutritious, spicy cauliflower casserole with a crunchy panko-alternative topping on your menu.
- Instead of panko, use your preferred crunchy topping, such as regular breadcrumbs or unsweetened coconut flakes, for a unique twist on the recipe.
- To create a vibrant, nutrition-packed cauliflower casserole, follow the recipe that includes a creamy, spicy sauce and a crunchy topping.
- Customize the flavors of the cauliflower casserole by exploring different topping ingredients, keeping in mind the need to adjust salt levels based on your chosen toppings.
