This Cheesy Cauliflower Puff is a great way to serve cauliflower to people that don't like cauliflower (which would be me!)
I altered a recipe that originally called for carrots and added some cheese. When it was done, it was DELICIOUS!! Honestly, I could have passed this off on the guys without telling them it was cauliflower and they wouldn't have known.
Puff versus Soufflé
Soufflés and puffs are very similar. These egg dishes inflate while cooking. The difference is the puff will sink in the middle shortly after you take it out of the oven.
Don't panic, it is supposed to do that. Same great taste as a soufflé, without the stress.
How to Separate Eggs
The hardest part about this recipe is removing the egg yolks from the egg whites. Beating the separated whites is what is going to make this puff.
I learned to do the back and forth between egg shells when I was a kid, so it is second nature to me. But, it can be tricky.
Jamie Oliver explains three methods for separating eggs in this very short video. I have tried the plastic bottle method, and it works well. But, we don't usually buy single use water bottles (team reusable here, but no judgements).
Stiff Peak Egg Whites
Do not be overwhelmed by fancy cooking terms like "stiff peak". All it means is to beat the egg whites until the "mountain" left when you remove the beaters stands straight up and doesn't fall over.
Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ head cauliflower (chopped into small pieces)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons onion (very finely chopped)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour (for gluten-free use 1 teaspoon cornstarch)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- hot pepper sauce (to taste)
- 1 cup low fat milk (substitute almond or soy milk if desired)
- 3 eggs (seperated)
- ½ cup cheddar cheese (grated)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- In a medium saucepan cover cauliflower with water and cook for 8-10 minutes until soft. Drain, reserving a few tablespoons of cooking water.
- Put cauliflower into blender and puree, adding cooking water a tablespoon at a time as needed.
- In the sauce pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sautee onions and garlic 3-5 minutes until translucent. Add flour, salt and pepper and stir over medium heat for another minute or two to make a roux. (For gluten free, skip the roux making and just add seasonings at this point).
- Remove from heat and slowly pour in milk whisking until smooth. Return to heat and cook for a few minutes until thickened. (For gluten free, add corn starch with milk and whisk thoroughly). Remove from heat.
- Sprinkle cheese over milk mixture and mix until smooth.
- Stir in cauliflower.
- Separate eggs. Whisk yolks into milk mixture. Add pepper sauce to taste.
- Beat egg whites to a stiff peak stage (when you remove the beater there is a mountain of egg whites that does not fall down). Gently fold whites into cauliflower mixture.
- Pour into an ungreased 1 quart baking dish. Bake 35-40 minutes, or until top is golden brown and set in the center. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Until next time, happy eating.
~Audrey
Lori Hart
I've never tried a puff or a souffle, but I may have to try after reading this. Looks so delicious
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm
Gorgeous...you win for recipe I most want to try this month.
Cindys Recipes and Writings
Very different, love the puff look!
Dawn ~ Spatulas On Parade
Audrey I'm so glad you didn't skip out! This looks and sounds great, I need to try it as I am not a fan of cauliflower but love new recipes.
Teresa (embracing the spectrum)
That looks delicious!
Joanne T Ferguson
This looms very healthy and delicious!
#ibabloggers
Brittany
Thanks for adding the gluten-free substitutions. Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty 🙂
The Ninja Baker
Wow! Serious deliciousness! Nice to see that your cheesy cauliflower is filled with healthy goodness. Thank you for the recipe =)
Keisha Hanvy
Thank you for stopping by and checking out my blog from the sits link-up. I really love this idea with cauliflower. I have been trying to do more meatless meals lately because of some recent health problems I have been experiencing and look forward to trying this.
Winnie
This is wonderful!!
I like cauliflower, and if I can replace the flour to potato flour, then it would wonderful for Passover
Pinning
Amanda @ The Anti Mom Blog
This is a great recipe! Love cauliflower and cheese combo. I am pinning because this must be made asap! Thank you for sharing this 🙂
Robin
I never thought of beating the whites before adding them. We had cauliflower for supper tonight and have lots left over. I know what we're having again tomorrow night!
Sandra @ Sandra's Ark
Dropping by from Pin Worthey Wednesday and so glad I did because I love cauliflower and this looks great, plus all those other ones to look at too.
Amanda
Hmm, looks interesting! I love cauliflower and of course, cheese. Never made anything like this so I may just have to try it! Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!
Kelly @ Mum-bo
I regularly make cauliflower cheese and when I first saw this, I wondered how you got yours to look so crispy! This is a great twist on what I would normally do and can't wait to try it! Thanks for linking up at Mum-bo Monday, I hope to see you again this week
Amy@HomeRemedies
I haven't eaten cauliflower in a long, long time but this makes me want to run to the store and get some! Looks delicious! I know my kiddos would love it too. Thanks so much for sharing at Talented Tuesdays!
Dawn
Looks amazing! Can't wait to try!