Cauliflower Gratin - Phase 3 - Vegan/ Vegetarian

I really think cheese sauce was made for cauliflower. My brother and I would beg for steamed cauliflower and broccoli with cheese sauce for Thanksgiving dinner. Oddly- it was the only time we ever ate it. I am happy that there is a healthy option that fits perfectly into FMD.

As an adult, I LOVE cauliflower. It is essential to my Cheesecake recipe, I love it roasted with garlic and olive oil, it is a great soup base, I put it in my Chicken Curry Stew. 

Speaking of soup- if you have leftovers of this, you can whiz it up in the blender with some almond milk and make a really good soup for the next day!

Add whatever veggies you like- zucchini, butternut squash, bell peppers- endless possibilities!


Cauliflower Gratin
Phase 3
Makes 4 standard servings of healthy fat

1 large head of cauliflower, cut into pieces
1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
1 small carrot, sliced
1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Sauce:
1 cup cashews, soaked in spring water for 1-2 hours
3/4 cup spring water or veggie broth or chicken broth
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 garlic clove, peeled

Optional:
1/2 tsp cayenne
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 sliced jalapeno

For the topping:
1 slice sprouted wheat bread- stale is fine
1 tsp olive oil

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Place the cauliflower and any other veggies you are adding into a pot. Add about 1-" of water. Bring to boil, and immediately put a lid on top. Reduce heat to a simmer and steam the veggies for about 5-6 minutes. Carefully drain and add veggies to a baking dish. Season with salt and pepper and garlic. 

Drain the cashews and rinse with cool fresh water. Place into a blender or food processor. Add the other sauce ingredients and blend until smooth.

Put the bread into a food chopper or food processor and pulse until crumbs. Add oil and pulse a couple more times. 

Pour cheese sauce over the veggies and stir gently.

Cover pan with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
Remove foil and sprinkle bread crumbs on top. Place back into the oven for 5-10 minutes, until the bread crumbs are toasty. You can also place under the broiler for a couple of minutes.