Sunday, March 02, 2008

Cauliflower, Broccoli- You Choose...

Can't Decide? Use both.

This dish was really good. The cheese sauce is easy to make and very tasty. And you have choices. If you don't like cauliflower, you could use broccoli or vice versa. Or do what I did- use both.

Oh, and did I mention, it's a lower fat version? What more would you expect from me?

Again I have delivered to you, a great lower fat version of a sinfully delicious dish.

And it's good.

I swear.

Ok, don't believe me, just try it!

Geez, tough crowd!

Creamy Cauliflower/Broccoli Bake

1 head cauliflower, cut into pieces (about 6 cups) or 1/2 head cauliflower and 1 large bunch broccoli
1 - 1/4" thick slice Canadian bacon, diced (such as Boar's Head)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon, extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups skim milk, you can even use lactose-free (I did)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan or a combo of both
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/3 cup bread crumbs

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Steam the cauliflower or cauliflower/broccoli mix for 5-7 minutes. Transfer the cauliflower to a buttered or sprayed 9 by 13-inch baking dish.

In a medium saute pan over medium-high heat, brown the Canadian bacon in 1 teaspoon oil. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.

In the same pan, melt the butter in the olive oil. Add the flour and stir until combined. Continue stirring for 3 minutes to cook the flour. Slowly add the milk, stirring continuously until the milk has incorporated and there are no lumps. Add the garlic and stir the sauce over low heat for about 5-6 minutes or until the mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon. Add the Romano cheese, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and the reserved Canadian bacon. Stir to combine. Pour the sauce over the veggies to cover. Top with a sprinkling of bread crumbs and spray with cooking spray.

Bake until the breadcrumbs are golden and the cauliflower is cooked, about 25 minutes. Serve immediately.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love broccoli but in this case I like both,broccoli and cauliflower .The way is made with bechemel sauce ,cheese and bread crumb? Yes is delicious,bambola.

Emily said...

I love cauliflower and broccoli! I made a soup with cauliflower the other night.
This looks so good.
I think I know your secret in creating healthy recipes: Canadian bacon.

Annie said...

Bambola, Yes it is!

Emiline, Your on to me... Canadian bacon is one of my secret low-fat flavor enhancers. Good observation!