Name: Cauliflower mac & cheese with hazelnuts
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 50 gram butter, coarsely chopped; 50 gram plain flour; 500 millilitre (2 cups) milk, warmed; 120 gram coarsely grated aged cheddar, plus extra for scattering; 1 1/2 tablespoon tbsp thyme, coarsely chopped; 1 tablespoon dijon mustard; 200 gram dried macaroni; 400 gram cauliflower (about 1/3 cauliflower), cut into florets; 20 gram hazelnuts, coarsely chopped; 1 tablespoon olive oil; bitter green leaf salad, to serve

Cauliflower mac & cheese with hazelnuts

This comforting dish is best served with a crisp salad of bitter greens with a tart dressing to cut through the richness.

Serves 4

Cook

25M

Ingredients

50 gram butter, coarsely chopped

50 gram plain flour

500 millilitre (2 cups) milk, warmed

120 gram coarsely grated aged cheddar, plus extra for scattering

1 1/2 tablespoon tbsp thyme, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

200 gram dried macaroni

400 gram cauliflower (about 1/3 cauliflower), cut into florets

20 gram hazelnuts, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

bitter green leaf salad, to serve

Method

1.Preheat grill to high heat. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add flour and stir until sandy-coloured (2-4 minutes). Gradually whisk in milk and stir until mixture is thick and comes to the boil (2-4 minutes). Stir in cheese, 1 Tbsp thyme and mustard, season to taste and keep warm.

2.Meanwhile, cook macaroni in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until al dente (5-6 minutes), adding cauliflower after 2 minutes. Drain and return cauliflower and macaroni to pan, then stir in cheese sauce and season to taste. Pour into a large baking dish and scatter with extra cheese.

3.Combine breadcrumbs, hazelnuts, oil and remaining thyme in a bowl, scatter over cauliflower mixture and grill until golden (3-4 minutes). Serve hot with a bitter green leaf salad.

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