Description
Classic French cauliflower gratin with gruyere combines creamy cheese and roasted vegetable perfection. Comforting flavors bring rich Alpine culinary traditions directly to the dining table, offering you a delightful homestyle meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cored and cut into small florets
- 4 ounces (113 grams) Gruyere cheese, grated (1 cup)
- 2 cups milk
Bread Topping:
- 3 slices white sandwich bread, torn into large pieces
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Binding:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- Coarse salt
- Ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and create breadcrumb topping by pulsing bread and Parmesan in a food processor until coarse crumbs form.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in flour for one minute to create a smooth roux.
- Gradually incorporate milk into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and create a creamy base.
- Add cauliflower florets to the sauce, seasoning with salt and pepper, then simmer covered for 5 minutes until slightly tender.
- Remove saucepan from heat and gently fold in grated Gruyere cheese until fully melted and integrated into the sauce.
- Transfer the creamy cauliflower mixture to a 2-quart baking dish, ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle prepared breadcrumb mixture evenly across the top of the cauliflower.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes to ensure cauliflower becomes tender.
- Uncover the dish and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until breadcrumbs turn golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven and let rest briefly before serving hot, allowing the gratin to set and flavors to meld.
Notes
- Select fresh, firm cauliflower for the best texture and flavor in this creamy gratin.
- Use room temperature milk to help create a smoother, lump-free sauce when combining with flour.
- Grate Gruyere cheese just before adding to ensure maximum melting and rich, nutty flavor.
- Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond meal or crushed gluten-free crackers for a celiac-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 367
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 64 mg