Name: Cauliflower mac & cheese with hazelnuts
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 50 gram butter, coarsely chopped; 50 gram plain flour; 500 millilitre (2 cups) milk, warmed; 120 gram coarsely grated aged cheddar, plus extra for scattering; 1 1/2 tablespoon tbsp thyme, coarsely chopped; 1 tablespoon dijon mustard; 200 gram dried macaroni; 400 gram cauliflower (about 1/3 cauliflower), cut into florets; 20 gram hazelnuts, coarsely chopped; 1 tablespoon olive oil; bitter green leaf salad, to serve

Cauliflower mac & cheese with hazelnuts

This comforting dish is best served with a crisp salad of bitter greens with a tart dressing to cut through the richness.

Ingredients

50 gram butter, coarsely chopped

50 gram plain flour

500 millilitre (2 cups) milk, warmed

120 gram coarsely grated aged cheddar, plus extra for scattering

1 1/2 tablespoon tbsp thyme, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

200 gram dried macaroni

400 gram cauliflower (about 1/3 cauliflower), cut into florets

20 gram hazelnuts, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

bitter green leaf salad, to serve

Method

1.Preheat grill to high heat. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add flour and stir until sandy-coloured (2-4 minutes). Gradually whisk in milk and stir until mixture is thick and comes to the boil (2-4 minutes). Stir in cheese, 1 Tbsp thyme and mustard, season to taste and keep warm.

2.Meanwhile, cook macaroni in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until al dente (5-6 minutes), adding cauliflower after 2 minutes. Drain and return cauliflower and macaroni to pan, then stir in cheese sauce and season to taste. Pour into a large baking dish and scatter with extra cheese.

3.Combine breadcrumbs, hazelnuts, oil and remaining thyme in a bowl, scatter over cauliflower mixture and grill until golden (3-4 minutes). Serve hot with a bitter green leaf salad.

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Ingredients

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