Cauliflower Cheddar Gratin with Horseradish Crumbs               

 tags (edit): Gourmet Magazine @Vogel @Try Soon! Vegetables Side Dish  

 

We think of this gratin as a vegetable-driven version of everyone's favorite, mac and cheese. The nutty, sweet undertones of cauliflower are particularly suited to meld with the tangy, salty Cheddar and the spicy horseradish.

Ingredients

3 pounds cauliflower (1 large head), cut into 1 1/2- to 2-inch florets
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
6 ounces sharp Cheddar coarsely grated (2 cups)
1/2 cup finely chopped scallion greens
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
20 (2-inch) square saltine crackers
2 tablespoons drained bottled horseradish


 

Instructions
 Preheat oven to 450°F. Butter a 2-quart shallow baking dish.

Cook cauliflower in a 5- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain cauliflower well in a colander and transfer to baking dish.

While cauliflower cooks, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat and whisk in flour. Cook roux, whisking, 3 minutes. Add milk in a slow stream, whisking, and bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Reduce heat and simmer sauce, whisking occasionally, 8 minutes. Remove from heat and add cheese, scallion greens, salt, and pepper, whisking until cheese is melted. Pour cheese sauce over cauliflower and stir gently to combine.

Coarsely crumble crackers into a bowl. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan, then remove from heat and stir in horseradish. Pour over crumbs and toss to coat.

Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over cauliflower.

Bake gratin until topping is golden brown, about 10 minutes.

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Yields: 8 Servings
     Gourmet magazine, January 2006, page 131

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