Fancy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Recipe

1 1/2 cup cauliflower florets

1 1/2 cup dried macaroni

1/4 cup butter,

3 Tbsp flour

1 tsp mustard powder

2 1/2 cups whole milk

Pinch of cayenne pepper

Sea salt, to taste

1 1/2 cup mature cheddar cheese, grated

1 1/2 cup colby jack cheese, grated

1 1/2 cup havarti cheese, grated

3 Tbsp breadcrumbs

Sprinkle of thyme leaves

Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the cauliflower and cook for 5 minutes or til tender. Remove with a slotted spoon and refresh in a bowl of ice-cold water to prevent it from cooking any further. Drain well.

Put the macaroni into the boiling salted water and cook according to packet instructions. Drain, refresh under cold, running water and drain again.

Mix the macaroni, cauliflower and a bit of butter together in a large bowl. Preheat the oven to 350* F. 

Heat the rest of the butter in a pan, and stir in the flour and mustard powder to make a roux. Gradually add the milk, beating continuously with a whisk until the mixture is smooth. Slowly bring to the boil over a low heat, whisking frequently, until the mixture thickens. Season well with cayenne pepper and sea salt to taste.

Mix the three cheeses together and stir 3/4 into the white sauce. Mix well until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth again. Add the macaroni and cauliflower to the sauce and mix well to coat.

Spread the mixture into an 8×8 dish.Combine the remaining cheeses with the breadcrumbs and thyme leaves. 

Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cauliflower mixture. Bake for about 15–20 minutes until the topping is golden and crisp. 

Sprinkle with bacon crumbs and fresh green onion.

Serve immediately.

We ate ours with New Orleans style catfish and steamed grean beans with bacon! Every one loved it... even the picky eaters that don't like cauiflower!

*recipe is adapted from Gordon Ramsey