Cauliflower Macaroni Cheese
An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella
Serves: 6 people
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500g/1 pound dried macaroni pasta
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250g/8.8 ozs cauliflower, cut into florets
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1.5 cups milk
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1 tablespoon oil
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2 rashers middle bacon, sliced into bite sized pieces (optional)
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1brown onion, chopped
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1 cups cream
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1 1/4 cups grated tasty cheese
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3/4 cups gruyere cheese
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1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
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2 tablespoons dried breadcrumbs
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2/3 cup grated tasty cheese extra
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2 tablespoons of butter, cut into cubes
Step 1 - Preheat oven to 180C/350F or preheat grill. Place a large pot of water to boil and cook cauliflower in the water until soft or steam it. Remove from the water and cool for 5 minutes. Then blitz the cauliflower in a food processor Meanwhile cook the macaroni in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente ensure that it does not get too soft. Drain and set aside.
Step 2 - Grease a large (about 30x25cms) baking dish. In the same saucepan, heat the oil and fry the onion and bacon until onion is soft and translucent and bacon is cooked-about 5 minutes. Then add the cream, milk and nutmeg and wait until it comes to a boil, turn it down to a simmer and add the cheeses, cauliflower and macaroni.
Step 3 - Place the cheesey macaroni mix in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle over with breadcrumbs and cheese and then dot with butter cubes. Bake in preheated oven for 5-10 minutes.