Cauliflower Au Gratin

Enough with the boring side dishes. Green beans, Carrots, and Peas are all great but soooooo ordinary. We often serve Cauliflower Au Gratin as a side dish when presenting a buffet. Cauliflower is healthy and delicious. The recipe below is very simple to produce,just mix and bake... It is that easy!!! Serve this great dish with steak, lamb, fish, or chicken.



Ingredients

1 head cauliflower, cut into large florets
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups hot milk
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
3/4 cup freshly grated Gruyere, divided
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 tsp. salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Boil the cauliflower florets in a large pot of boiling salted water for 5 to 6 minutes..Drain and set aside

Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Pour the hot milk into the butter-flour mixture and stir until it comes to a boil. Boil, whisking constantly, for 1 minute, or until thickened. Off the heat, add 1 teaspoon of salt, the pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup of the Gruyere, 1/2 cup Cheddar, and the Parmesan.

Pour 1/3 of the sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Place the drained cauliflower on top and then spread the rest of the sauce evenly on top. Combine the bread crumbs with the remaining cheese and sprinkle on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle over the gratin. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is browned. Serve hot or at room temperature.