Cauliflower cheese - yay or nay?

[Bonheurdupasse]

Does anyone do cauliflower cheese as a side at Christmas? Or if not, would you consider it (eating it)?

For those who do it - are there any ways to fancy it up?
One fancy version on BBC good food had the cauliflower being roasted initially, rather than parboiled. Sounds like it would be lovely - but then all in all it would be an hour in the oven for it - wouldn't that dry it out? Especially if I did the first step the night before?

Absolutely critical. As important as roast potatoes.

Top with garlic and herb breadcrumbs.

It's a nay from me as I haaate the stuff. If you love it you should include it!

No no no had it once as a child, never again!

Cauliflower cheese with every roast!!!

To quote Peep Show - "Cauliflower is NOT traditional!" Haha but on a personal note, I love it, so why not?! :)

@sittingonacornflake thanks!
Sorry this will sound so stupid - how do you get the garlic into the breadcrumbs??

With cream and butter in it. With skimmed milk.....no.

Essential in our house

Wouldn't consider not having cauliflower cheese on Xmas day. Love it. It's easy to make but I just don't have time for the faff on Xmas day so buy the ready made M&S version

Yes.

Yes, every year.

Roasted cauli is definitely something else. I don't boil it anymore since I experienced roasted ones.

Garlic & herb breadcrumbs is just that. Mixed it all up before you sprinkle it on top.

My husband suggested not having it but it's my fave bit! I saw a James Martin... I think that's his name... recipe on this morning 2 years and did that one and its lovely!

Yes, and will be doubly important this year as DD is a vegetarian, so it will help replace the turkey and chipolatas.

On Xmas Eve I make a macaroni cheese as a side for the Xmas ham (again DD eats it instead of the ham), and prep the cauliflower cheese at the same time (make a massive cheese sauce batch). But I can't be bothered trying to fancy it up at all. Maybe nutmeg in the sauce, or some gruyere instead of cheddar?

@Bonheurdupasse tear some bread up, pop it into a food processor, peel, chop and add garlic and herbs plus a dash of oil (optional) and blitz up into crumbs.

Also handy to keep a bag in the freezer as it's nice to coat flattened chicken breasts before frying or adding on top of pasta dishes

Always. A dollop of double cream once the extra thick sauce is made and add more English mustard than you think. Like 2 heaped teaspoons. Top notch cheddar, none of this pale supermarket pap. No to breadcrumbs.

Mine is already made and tubbed up in the freezer. Defrost the night before, nuke in the microwave, job done

No it's awful stuff

Nope not for the big day. Boxing Day for sure though.

No, I CBA and don't really think it goes with gravy and other sauces. But MIL used to do it and I'd happily eat it.

Do it if you CBA and you know at least some of the diners like it.

Cauliflower cheese is suitable for every meal! I have had it with lardons of bacon included, which was very nice.

Nope, but I hate cheese.

I love it, but I cannot understand why anyone would put something in cheese sauce on a plate where gravy goes.

Cauliflower cheese with cold ham on Boxing Day. But never on a roast dinner.

Absolutely essential. I use whole grain mustard in the cheese sauce to add interest and pop some more grated cheese on the top for the last 5 mins to go crispy.

Done well, cauliflower cheese is absolutely delicious but I have probably had more bad (think watery, flavourless) than good. Including in restaurants!

Yes! Always! Fundamental part of the trimmings of any 'proper' roast, along with stuffing and yorkshires (controversial I know). I quite like variations too, eg cauli and leek or cauli and broccoli. But then I do love cheese.