Cauliflower Cheese Bake with Bacon Crumbs

Method

1. Step 1 of 13

   Heat the oven to 200°C.

   200 °C / 392 °F

   200

2. Step 2 of 13

   Cut the cauliflower into even florets.

   • cauliflower

   

3. Step 3 of 13

   Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil.

   • salt

   

4. Step 4 of 13

   Boil the florets for 6 minutes, then drain well and leave to steam dry.

   • cauliflower
   6 min

   6

5. Step 5 of 13

   Fry the bacon lardons in a dry pan over medium heat until crisp, then lift out onto kitchen paper.

   • bacon lardons

6. Step 6 of 13

   Melt the butter in the same pan and stir in the flour, cooking to a pale straw roux.

   • butter
   • plain flour

   

7. Step 7 of 13

   Pour in the milk a little at a time, whisking, and cook until the sauce coats the spoon.

   • whole milk

   

8. Step 8 of 13

   Grate the cheddar.

   • mature cheddar

   

9. Step 9 of 13

   Off the heat, stir in three quarters of the cheese, the mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper.

   • mature cheddar
   • Dijon mustard
   • ground nutmeg
   • salt
   • black pepper

10. Step 10 of 13

    Tip the cauliflower into an ovenproof dish and pour the sauce over.

    • cauliflower

    

11. Step 11 of 13

    Scatter over the bacon, breadcrumbs and remaining cheese.

    • bacon lardons
    • dried breadcrumbs
    • mature cheddar

12. Step 12 of 13

    Bake for 18 minutes until bubbling and browned on top.

    200 °C / 392 °F18 min

    

13. Step 13 of 13

    Rest 3 minutes before serving.

    3 min