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Cauliflower Alla Parmigiana

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Cauliflower is baked with butter and Parmesan cheese. Together they all bring out the natural sweetness in the cauliflower.

  • Serves: 4 to 6
  • Active Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Comments: 1
  • Views: 2526
  • Success 100%
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Step 1: Prepping and Blanching the Cauliflower

Prepping and Blanching the Cauliflower

Bring a pot of cold water to a boil and then season with salt and vinegar (the vinegar helps keep the cauliflower nice and white, but it is not necessary).

In the meantime, remove the leaves from the cauliflower and then break into large florets.

Prepare an ice bath. Once the water is boiling, blanch the cauliflower. You still want them to be quite crunchy, so this should only take about 3 or 4 minutes.

Once done, drain the cauliflower well.

If preparing this dish to serve immediately, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

  • 1 head cauliflower (approx. 1 1/2 lbs)
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar per liter/quart of water

Step 2: Draining the Cauliflower

Draining the Cauliflower

Place the cauliflower onto a clean kitchen towel to drain any excess water.

Step 3: Cutting the Cauliflower

Cutting the Cauliflower

Once the cauliflower is dry, cut the florets lengthwise into about 1/4"-inch thick.

Step 4: Seasoning and Preparing the Pan

Seasoning and Preparing the Pan

Butter an 8" x 10" baking dish. Spread the cauliflower out relatively flat and then season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • 1 to 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • salt (to taste)
  • freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Step 5: Arranging the Cauliflower

Arranging the Cauliflower

Place the cauliflower slices into the pan, overlapping them slightly.

Place small nobs of butter over the top of the cauliflower.

  • 2 to 3 tbsp unsalted butter

Step 6: Grating the Parmesan Cheese

Grating the Parmesan Cheese

Grate the Parmesan over top of everything.

Up to this point, everything can be done several hours in advance. Simply place into the refrigerator until ready to bake it.

  • 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese

Step 7: Baking the Dish

Baking the Dish

If you haven't already, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

Bake the cauliflower uncovered for approximately 30 minutes or until lightly golden. Serve hot.

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Daniel R

Very good

The cauliflower that I grew up on was boiled for a very long time and served with some nutmeg and butter, so I was pleasantly surprised about the firmer texture of this dish, and the crispy parmesan crust was delicious.

Next time I am planning to incorporate a little more cheese throughout, not just on top. Also I had forgotten the s&p so that went right on top, and obviously next time that needs to go on before the cheese.

This is a very good side dish, even my kids liked it :)

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