Cauliflower Au Gratin

This recipe is one that comes from the great and very clever Julia Child. A basic culinary rule of thumb is, if Julia Child makes something, you can be sure it’s tasty. This Cauliflower Au Gratin is surely no exception to that rule!

Creamy, and oh so delicious, this cauliflower in a mornay sauce (aka cheese sauce) melts in your mouth. It can easily be made gluten free simply by using gluten free flour in the sauce. This is a lovely side dish with any sort of roast or meat of any kind. If you are limiting carbohydrates, it is a perfect substitute for mac and cheese. Serve it with a good salad and some crusty bread and dinner is very deliciously served!

Bon Appetit!

Julia Child’s Chou Fleur Au Gratin
(Cauliflower In Cheese Sauce)

An 8″ head of cauliflower
3 cups mornay sauce (recipe below)
3 Tablespoons bread crumbs
3 tablespoons grated swiss cheese
3 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons melted butter

Mornay Sauce
3 tablespoons butter
1 heaping quarter cup flour (gluten free all purpose flour works well)
3 cups milk
salt and white pepper to taste
3/4 cup grated swiss cheese
1/4- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Cut cauliflower into florets. Add them to a pot of boiling salted water and cook for 9 minutes. Drain and cool in some cold water to stop the florets from cooking.

While the cauliflower is cooking make the sauce. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Add the flour and stir until it is lightly brown. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Stir in the milk and cook until the sauce begins to thicken. Remove from the heat and add in the 3/4 cup swiss cheese and 1/4-1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Stir until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning of salt and pepper.

Add 1/3 of the sauce to the bottom of a buttered baking dish. Add in the drained cauliflower then pour the rest of the sauce over the cauliflower. Mix together the 3 tablespoons each of swiss cheese, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and spread them over the top of the cauliflower. Drizzle with melted butter and bake in 375 degree oven for 30 minutes until the topping is browned and casserole is bubbling. YUM!