Purple Cauliflower Cheese Recipe
Drogo
4 - 6
15 minutes
30 minutes
This purple cauliflower cheese puts a colourful twist on a classic British comfort food. Combining vibrant purple cauliflower with a rich, creamy cheese sauce, crunchy panko breadcrumbs and a touch of truffle oil, it makes an indulgent side dish that looks every bit as good as it tastes.
Purple cauliflower has a similar texture to traditional white cauliflower, making it easy to use in many familiar dishes. Its striking colour makes this purple cauliflower recipe particularly impressive when entertaining or when you simply want to give a traditional cauliflower cheese a more unusual appearance.
The cauliflower is cooked until just tender before being covered in a creamy Cheddar sauce flavoured with mustard and nutmeg. A layer of panko breadcrumbs adds crunch, while truffle oil brings an earthy finish that works beautifully with both the cauliflower and cheese.
If you've been wondering what to make with purple cauliflower, this comforting dish is a simple place to start. Serve it alongside a Sunday roast, as part of a larger dinner or even as a warming vegetarian dish in its own right.
Ingredients
Purple Cauliflower Cheese
- 1 Purple cauliflower
- 50g Butter
- 500ml Milk
- 1/2 White onion
- 1/2 tsp Mustard
- 200g Cheddar
- 1/2 tsp Nutmeg powder
- Handful Panko breadcrumbs
- Drizzle Truffle oil
Directions
Method
Step 1, Preheat the oven and prepare the purple cauliflower by removing the outer leaves and cutting the head into evenly sized florets. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, add the cauliflower and cook until just tender. Take care not to overcook it, as the cauliflower will continue cooking once it goes into the oven.
Step 2, Meanwhile, prepare the sauce for the cauliflower cheese. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then add the flour and stir together to form a smooth paste. Cook briefly, stirring continuously, to remove the raw flour taste.
Step 3, Gradually add the milk to the butter and flour mixture, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Continue cooking until the sauce is smooth and has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Step 4, Add the grated mature Cheddar to the sauce and stir until completely melted. Add the mustard and a little freshly grated nutmeg, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Step 5, Drain the cooked purple cauliflower thoroughly and arrange the florets in an ovenproof dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower, making sure the florets are generously coated.
Step 6, Scatter the panko breadcrumbs over the top of the purple cauliflower cheese to create a crunchy topping. Transfer to the oven and bake until the sauce is bubbling and the breadcrumb topping is crisp and golden.
Step 7, Remove the cauliflower cheese from the oven and finish with a small drizzle of truffle oil. Allow it to stand briefly before serving so the sauce can settle slightly, then serve while hot.
Ingredients you'll need
