Extra Special Cauliflower Cheese

Cauliflower cheese is already delicious, but this version just takes everything good about it and makes it better. With additional ingredients such as bacon and leeks and an amazing almond flour crust, this extra special cauliflower cheese is sure to give your taste buds a FIESTA! Now, at first, it may seem like you've got a lot to do at once; make the cheese sauce, boil the veg and fry off the bacon and leeks, but after several attempts you'll have mastered it and probably be wanting to make it every week! Anyway, without further ado, let's get on with the recipe!

Happy Cooking!

The Chai Home 😋

INGREDIENTS

• 1x large Cauliflower - florets

• 1x large Broccoli - florets

• 2x Leeks - finely slices including the greens

• G of Bacon - sliced to approx 1cm cubes

• 3x tbsp of Worcestershire Sauce

• 2x large pinches of Black Pepper

• 2x tsp of Sweet Paprika

For the Bechamel Cheese Sauce

• 2x heaped tbsp of Butter

• 2x heaped tbso of Plain Flour

• 800ml of Milk

• 1x tbsp of Worcestershire Sauce

• 1x heaped tsp of Mustard (English)

• 2x Cups of Grated Cheddar Cheese (compacted)

For the Topping

• 1x Cup of Grated Parmesan Cheese (compacted)

• 1x Cup of Ground Almonds (Almond)

• 1x tbsp of Italian Mixed Herbs

METHOD

Fill the kettle with water and boil - just to speed things up.

Add your cauliflower and broccoli to a large pan and wait for the water to boil.

While you're waiting for the kettle to boil go ahead and heat a large ovenproof frying pan or skillet. Heat on a high heat before adding a good drizzle of olive oil.

Once the oil is nice and hot, turn to a medium heat, add your bacon and leeks and cook for a few minutes.

Add your boiled water to your cauliflower and brocoli and bring to the boil.

Preheat your oven to 300C.

Give your bacon and leeks a good mix and then add the pepper, Paprika and Worcestershire Sauce - mix together well. If things begin to stick, turn down to a low heat and you can add a small dash of water.

Once the bacon is cooked through, turn off the heat and place to one side.

While the veg is boiling it's time to make the Cheese Sauce.

In a small sauce pan add the butter and melt on a high heat. Once melted turn off the heat.

Add the flour and thoroughly mix together.

Add the mustard and Worcestershire Sauce and mix.

Now add a large dash of the milk, and combine together.

Now turn the heat back on to high and carefully stir the mixture.

Gradually add the remaining milk, while stirring.

Once all the milk is added, turn to a medium - low heat and keep a close eye on it. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom.

If your veg is cooked, go ahead and drain it. Leave it in the strainer until needed. (You want all the water to be fully drained)

Once the Sauce has thickened, go ahead and add the Cheddar Cheese. Put to a low heat and mix through until all the cheese has melted.

Once the Cheese has melted turn off the heat.

Now it's time to assemble.

Add the cauliflower and broccoli to the bacon and leeks and carefully mix together - you want to keep the veg in tact.

Cover your veg evenly in the delicious Cheese Sauce.

Now, evenly top with the Grated Parmesan, Ground Almonds and Italian Mixed Herbs and pop it onto the top shelf of the oven and bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden on top.

Serve and enjoy!