You might think I am crazy, but I am actually one of those people, who prefer creamed cauliflower to broccoli. Cauliflower is sweeter and a tad less bitter than broccoli. Creamed cauliflower is one of those dishes that make you fill up with warmth. The best way to serve creamed cauliflower as a side dish with meat as the star on the plate. You can also opt for a complete vegetarian meal and serve creamed cauliflower just as it is. Creamed cauliflower is truly great if you are on a diet and don’t want to overeat!
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Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a vegetable that comes all the way from the year 1 A.D. It has been a part of the diet of many civilisations. You might wonder, where and when can I purchase the best type of cauliflower? There are four types of cauliflower:
- Asian – can be biannual and annual.
- North Eastern annual – developed in Germany and harvested around fall.
- North Eastern biannual – harvested around winter and early spring. If you are in Britain and wanting to grow your own cauliflower, this is the type you should aim for.
- Italian – this is the classic type of cauliflower, which can vary in colour.
Cauliflower colours
I am sure that on occasions you have spotted a green or purple cauliflower. Yes, these are just some of the types of cauliflower one can purchase. In fact there are different types of cauliflower:
- White – this is the most common cauliflower. You can find it in any local supermarket. This one I used in this recipe, of course.
- Green – this one is sometimes called the “broccoflower”. No joke. Its sometimes referred to as a cross between broccoli and cauliflower. Many believe that the green cauliflower is in fact much healthier than the white cauliflower.
- Orange –this cauliflower is usually found in Canada. I’ve not come across them yet on British soil.
- Purple – the purple cauliflower is more common than the green. You can definitely purchase this in the UK.
Healthy vegetarian dish
As this recipe calls for double cream only, this makes a perfectly fine vegetarian dish. The best thing is, that there is no need to serve this dish as a side, because the richness will fill you up. There appears to be a knee-jerk reaction whenever cream is mentioned in a recipe, with it instantly being labeled as fattening or unhealthy. The key is moderation…. and keeping things in perspective!
Vegan creamed cauliflower
If you truly wish to make this dish even more healthier and make a vegan version out of it, then you should add soy milk. The soy milk also gives a rich feeling to the dish, but it will probably need a bit more cooking time. Once the dish is done, you should not sprinkle the breadcrumbs over. This way you can keep the dish fully vegan. Sprinkle fresh herbs on instead.
Herbs and Spices
Parsley is a fantastic herb to complement the creaminess of the creamy cauliflower. It will cut through the fatty nature of the sauce and introduce a new texture. You can also add these spices:
- Nutmeg: Be careful though. If you add too much it will overpower the dish!
- Bay leaf: this works great with cauliflower. If you add black pepper with bay leaf you have got yourself one heck of a dish!
- Thyme: one of the more aromatic herbs, but it definitely works with this recipe. If you are a fan of thyme, go for it!
Health benefits
As cauliflower contains lots of fiber, it is beneficial to your digestive system. It also contains lots of antioxidants and vitamins. This is a great dish, full of nutritional value that even your kids won’t be able to resist. If you are on a diet, trying to prepare for the summer, then cauliflower is the vegetable for you. Cauliflower is low in fat and low on carbohydrates. Additionally, it will fill you up with energy for the rest of the day.
Creamy cauliflower as a side dish
Creamy cauliflower can be a great side to a steak or traditional roast beef. It is also very delicious when coupled with pan fried pork. Yum! Creamy cauliflower is a great substitute for a potato gratin, which is usually served with steak. It has less carbs, less fat and less calories – a great substitute if you want to go for a leaner approach.
Cheesy cauliflower
I don’t know about you but I love cheese. In fact, I love cheese so much, I tend to add a pretty hefty layer on this creamed cauliflower recipe. Don’t you love it when the top layer of the cheese turns golden brown like the perfect lasagna? There is no point in missing out on the same feeling with this dish! If you keep the creamy cauliflower in the over a bit longer, you will be surprised to find a beautiful golden layer on top. You can definitely turn this dish into a cauliflower cheese kind of a recipe.
If you are a fan of creamy delicious dishes, don’t miss out and make sure you check out these recipes for more inspiration:
Creamed Cauliflower
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 4
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower, florets only
- 125ml (½ cup) double cream
- 35g (1oz) breadcrumbs [optional]
- 35g (1oz) grated parmesan cheese [optional]
Instructions
- Boil the cauliflower for 5 minutes in salted water. Drain.
- Heat the cream in a large ovenproof casserole dish.
- Add the cauliflower to the dish and mix thoroughly. Season well.
- At this point you can serve the creamed cauliflower immediately, or you can turn it into a Cauliflower Cheese kind of a dish.
- Heat the oven to its highest setting.
- Top the cauliflower with the breadcrumbs and cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until a golden crust has formed on top.
Notes
- Serve with a green salad or as a side dish.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 serving
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 151 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 11.4 g | 18% | |
Saturated Fat 7.8 g | 39% | |
Sodium 51 mg | 2% | |
Total Carbohydrates 9.8 g | 3% | |
Dietary Fiber 1.9 g | 8% | |
Sugars 2.7 g | ||
Protein 2.8 g | 6% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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cauliflower cheese
In a stew xx
Love cauliflower cheese with a roast dinner but I have been meaning to make cauliflower rice for a while now must add it to this weeks meal
PLanner thanks for reminder haha !
I’ve never actually cooked cauliflower I have no idea what to do with it
boiled
My favourite has to be cauliflower cheese, mainly because we’re all cheese mad in my family
Love cauliflower cheese especially with some roast meat and roasters . I remember buying cauliflower cheese grills love them but cant find them anywhere now . I would try making them myself but don’t think mine would turn out that good lol
My favourite is cauliflower cheese, simple but so tasty and filling
I’m another cauli-fan and have discovered the delights of roasted cauliflower with parmesan cheese
I love cauliflower cheese, but my new favourite is roasted cauliflower with lemon and garlic.
I love cauliflower cheese 🙂
Cauliflower Cheese
I enjoy it just boiled so yummy and versitile. Would love to try it baked
Just steamed. Plain I know but tasty.
with cheese sauce
I like to cook it with cheese sauce
In a curry for us
Boiled to just the right softness
Cauliflower rice
Cauliflower cheese.
I’m a cauliflower cheese kinda gal x
In a Cauliflower Cheese
I like to grate it down and use it to make pizza bases.
Roasting a head of cauliflower with a sprinkle of chilli and cheese. Makes a nice simple centrepiece.
Cauliflower rice
Cauliflower cheese.
With macaroni cheese
cauliflower cheese although i also love to put in n soups
I enjoy simple steamed cauliflower with my roasties. x
A cauliflower curry with potato and kale.
I love making cauliflower sauce to serve onto of Cauliflower 🙂 x
has to be cauliflower cheese
I love Cauliflower cheese x
cauliflower cheese
I like it roasted with lemon, capers and olives
I love cauliflower with hot engish mustard
I love Cauliflower Cheese best
I love it all ways, including raw, but cauliflower cheese is a real favourite.
got to be cauliflower cheese, love it!
Cauliflower cheese us one of my favourite shushes any which way it’s cooked, endlessly delicious.
Cauliflower cheese all the way
I love cauliflower, which is just as well as Cornwall produces masses of them. Your creamed cauliflower sounds delicious, but my favourite will always be cauliflower cheese 🙂
Potato and cauliflower curry.
In a cheese sauce to have with a Sunday dinner.
I love Cauliflower Cheese best
In a curry.
I adore cauliflower so I’d love this. Cauliflower is so wonderfully versatile. Lovely to find out more about this humble brassica. I’m from Canada but never saw orange cauli – though the country is vast so it may have been an East Coast variety. I’d love to see more colourful cauli here!
I’ve never actually had creamed cauliflower before, plenty of cauliflower cheese but never creamed cauliflower; it sounds delicious so I will definitely give it a try 🙂