Cauliflower Au' Gratin

I first had this at my friend ,Mandy's home for dinner & I was totally bought over....The melted cheese over the softly-cooked cauliflower. Intertwined between is the creamy, rich white sauce. Sprinkled lightly with white breadcrumbs as the finishing touch, adds the crunch after the baking.....Just beautiful!!


Ingredients:

• 1 firm cauliflower
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
• White Sauce ingredients~
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup reserve liquid from the water used to boil the cauliflower
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Method for white sauce:

1.Melt butter in a saucepan.
2.Stir in the flour & cook for 1 minute.
3.Gradually pour in the milk & reserved liquid (from boiling the cauliflower) stirring all the time until the sauce boils & thickens.
4.Remove pan from heat & stir in the cheese. Continue stirring till it melts into the sauce.
5.Add salt & pepper to taste.
Method for Cauliflower Au' Gratin~
1. Bring saucepan of water to the boil. Add cauliflower.
2.Boil covered for 20 minutes till tender. Drain well.
3.Keep aside 3/4 cup of the water used to boil the cauliflower to make the white sauce.
4.Cut into florets.
5. Arrange on a greased ovenproof dish.
6. Pour the white sauce evenly over the cauliflower.
7. Sprinkle with grated cheese & breadcrumbs.
8. Bake in a preheated 200 deg oven for 10-15 minutes.
9. Serve at once.