method

This dish could easily be totally vegetarian but if you like smoked bacon (as it is added raw) the bacon juices permeate the topping (yummy) Serve with a warm crusty bagette with lashings of butter and a dash of worchester sauce if it takes your fancy. I buy bake at home bagettes as life is to short to make one ;¬) If you try this and want another option, try this: 'Frankfurter Sausage Cauliflower Cheese' is a winner with the kids.

NB: Make sure to cook the cauliflower so that it is just about as tender as you like it, because it's not going to soften up any further once you put it in the oven.

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make the cheese sauce

1. Melt the butter in a small - med pan
2. Add all the flour
3. Add the onion powder with the English & Dijon mustard
4. Stir with a whisk or spoon to make a roux

5. Add a little milk at a time while whisking

Don't worry about the lumps, keep stirring and whisking as you add the milk and they will melt into the sauce

6. Stir continuously to form a thick white sauce

7. When thickened, it should coat the back of a spoon
8. Turn the heat off
9. Add the cheese

10. Stir until the cheese has melted

make the cauli' cheese bake

1. Put the cauli' florets in a large pan
2. Cover with water & add 1 Tbsp salt
3. Bring to the boil & simmer until just cooked to your liking Note: It's not going to cook any more in the oven
4. Add the cauliflower leaves for 1 min
5. Drain & immerse in ice-cold water
6. Drain well when stone-cold
7. Put onions into a microwave proof dish
8. Sprinkle with salt & a dash if oil
9. Microwave on full power for 2 min
10. Mix the hot onions with the mushrooms & garlic

11. Add a knob of butter & set aside
12. Tip the beans into an oven proof dish / tin
13. Place the cauliflower florets onto the beans

14. Spoon half of the cheese sauce over the top

15. Cover with the cauliflower leaves

16. Spoon over the rest of the cheese sauce

17. Cover with the onion & mushrooms

18. Sprinkle with bacon lardons
19. Sprinkle the rest of the grated cheese over the top
20. Decorate with tomato wedges

Cooking temp/time: Roast in the oven @180c for about 45 minutes, or until the top is nicely toasted and the center hot. A sharp knife should go through the cauliflower stem easily.

The reason the timing can not be exact is every cauliflower is different, some have more open florets, some are firmer and require a little more cooking time.