Cauliflower + broccoli cheese

[AmyTurtleRocks]

I need to make cauliflower and broccoli cheese tomorrow.

I made it once years ago and it was horrible because water seeped into the cheese sauce from the boiled cauliflower.

I don't have a steamer which would probably be better so was wondering if I can roast the cauliflower in the oven to avoid the sogginess.

Suggestions welcome please. 🤗

I never cook it first. Just chuck it in raw and it will steam in the sauce.

Forgot to say I do know how to make a good cheese sauce.

I boil the cauliflower and leave it in a colander for about an hour first to drain and cool off, so that no water or steam mixes in with the cheese sauce.

Oh that sounds good. How long would I cook it for please.

don't boil it.
roast in the oven and then add sauce.

I would roast it, better flavour and dries it out

Roast veg lightly, cover in sauce, sprinkle with cheese and continue to bake.

I think that's where I went wrong. I just boiled it and tipped straight into oven dish after a quick dip in the colander.

I don't cook it first either, just make the cheese sauce a little thinner than I usually would and let it cook in the sauce.

But you can steam without a steamer if you do want to. Whack it in a sieve or collander over a pot of boiling water and cover. Works just as well.

I certainly wouldnt put it in raw

As PP I leave cooked veg to drain for a good while. I also add sliced cooked potatoes to mine.

I also cheat and buy a Sainsburys taste the difference cauliflower cheese (the cauliflower in it is not cooked). I add par boiled potatoes and slightly cooked broccoli underneath , then I top with an unhealthy amount of grated cheddar cheese (I put it in another dish) and cook for forty minutes and serve with sausages.

Do you have a microwave?

If you do, break the cauliflower into florets, put a slice of butter on top and then cover the bowl. Microwave for a couple of minutes, shake/stir, and then microwave for another couple of minutes.

Cover with the cheese sauce (I make a flourless one, which is just heated cream and a shedload of cheese and a squoosh of lemon - but that's because I'm following a High Fat Low Carb Way of Eating) and then grill.

Par boil and allow to drain/steam cool before you put on the cheese sauce.

I'm always in a rush, so I dry my cauliflower and broccoli off with kitchen towel, and put a thin layer of bread crumbs on the bottom of the dish before putting the veg and sauce in. Works every time.

Yess! I always them in the oven.

Yes the best cheese sauce is just cream and cheese, no need for anything else.

Apart from a blob of English mustard, black pepper and perhaps nutmeg if so inclined.

I've not made it for a while but I definitely roasted rather than boiling it. Tastes better and no risk of sogginess!

So if I roast it do I roast the cauliflower until cooked and then add the sauce and roast some more. Or do I put sauce over raw cauliflower and then roast?

I roast the cauliflower then let it fully cool so a lot of the moisture steams out. Then mix it into a nice thick hot cheese sauce and into the oven. Usually avoid the wateryness. I think I'd do the same with the broccoli if I was doing both veg.

You need to simmer the veg for a max of 3 minutes from the water boiling, drain very thoroughly and leave to steam dry for a few minutes.

And put lots of grated cheese in the sauce - extra mature only - plus salt, pepper (preferably white) and a good dollop of English mustard.

I’m making that right now!

I steam it though, so I’m no use to you.

I do always put mustard in the sauce though 👌.

If roasting, roast without sauce and then add sauce - that would be my preference too, but if you're in a rush, another way is to clingfilm the cauliflower whole and just chuck it in the microwave for 6-7 minutes. It will come out very VERY hot from the steaming so carefully make a hole in the film before unwrapping, and then cut up and add sauce as before.

If you don’t overcook and drain/steam it well enough, there will be no sogginess.

The bbc good food recipe is good (it’s just cauli not that that matters).

What I like about it is the cheese sauce is v simple,you just bung everything in together and stir.

Air fry the cauliflower and broccoli and leave to go cold