How I learned to like Curry Cauliflower.
When I see cauliflower I think of my in-laws. My Father-in-law was a wonderful gardener. He grew a variety of vegetables. He had a spring garden, and when that was gone, he would plant a fall garden. One of the vegetables he grew was cauliflower. I remember how he would tie the large green leaves up with twine so the head of the cauliflower did not scald or burn from the intense sun. He wanted them perfectly white. They would get a few hours of sun, and then he would tie them up during the heat of the day. I can’t imagine babysitting cauliflower, but he loved the garden so much he hardly thought of it as work, but rather a labor of love and pride. He would try to tell me all about how to grow cauliflower, or how to raise the best tomatoes, what to do with the dirt, and how no matter how much you would water nothing took the place a good rain. He spoke of the plants like they were children. How to raise them so they would not go bad or they would always be at their best and make you proud. Being young, I did not physically do it, but in my mind I wanted to stick my fingers in my ears and sing lalalalala until he stopped.
My Mother-in-law was an excellent cook. She made this creamed cauliflower when it was in season. I thought it was horrible. My husband loved it. I thought he was strange, but I thought if he would eat cauliflower he wouldn’t mind eating so-so food until I could master cooking.
As the years passed I began to sneak up on raw cauliflower that was always on the crudité tray during the holidays or gatherings, along with onion dips, curry dips, and all sorts of dip. I would take a nibble from time to time until I kind of warmed to the raw flowerets smothered in a dip. Then I began to think if I could eat it raw why not try it cooked. Much to my amazement it was quiet delicious. I guess the lesson learned is even if you are turned off by a dish don’t let it be the end. Give yourself time, mature a little; give your taste buds time to develop.
So now I regret is not listening closer to Father-in-law’s wisdom. I don’t have space to grow a decent tomato, but I think I could, but I will have to trust my farmer’s market for a white head of cauliflower because I have not developed that kind of patience needed to mind a cauliflower. So thanks to my inlaws for introducing me to really good produce.
These days I like it raw, steamed, mashed and in Mornay sauce; that is just white sauce with cheese added. I add different spices, and I top with breadcrumbs and herbs when I roast it. Give it a try. It makes a good alternative to potatoes.
- 2 oz (50 g) good Cheddar or Gruyere, grated
- 1 oz (25 g) real Parmesan
- 2 cups (570 ml) milk
- 1½ oz (40 g) plain flour
- 1½ oz (40 g) butter
- a little freshly grated nutmeg or curry powder
- salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1 – head of cauliflower florets
- Add butter into a medium saucepan over a gentle heat; add flour.
- Cook a few minutes to cook out the raw taste of flour but do not brown - this is a white sauce.
- Whisk in milk; bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Whisk continually until you have a smooth sauce.
- Add cheeses; whisk again, allowing them to melt.
- Season with salt, freshly milled black pepper and freshly grated nutmeg or curry; set aside.
- Use a steamer to steam cauliflower only until tender.
- Add cheese sauce
The sauce is a white sauce until you add cheese - then it is called Mornay Sauce.
I am taking this to
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
I have to admit we’re not big cauliflower eaters unless it has plenty of cheese. I believe your curried dish fills the bill with cheese as well as lots of flavor.
Sam
Ms. Lemon says
It took me a while to warm to it, but I really like it now. Cheese is my weakness, so I like anything with cheese, but you might like it roasted as well. It makes it sweeter. Just don’t cook it to death because that brings out the strong cabbage smell. I probably don’t need to tell you that since you are such a great cook.
Thanks for stopping by Sam.
Mimi says
I think this looks fabulous!
Ms. Lemon says
Mimi, I think the key is not to overcook it, or at least that is my opinion. Thanks for stopping by.
Sally says
Love how you wrote this one Madonna. Wonderful story and memories! Your father-in-law sounds like someone I could talk with for hours, learning from. Wish I had more space to grow stuff too, but even just growing my herbs and citrus make me happy. He must have been something! My mom used to smother cauliflower in cheese sauce to get me to eat it as a kid. Now, I love it and there are many great ways to enjoy it. I think now roasted is my favorite! I have been wanting to do a curried cauliflower soup recipe.
Ms. Lemon says
Yes, my Father-in-law was a gem. You are right about roasting it,in fact I made your recipe, but you had just posted about it and I did not want to “copy”. 🙂 The soup sound delish too. Thanks for commenting, I am always thrilled when you approve.
M~
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Cauliflower takes to curry so well! It’s a terrific dish, and your version looks wonderful. Have you tried roast cauliflower? It’s really good — I’ll bet you’d like it. Anyway, good post — thanks.
Ms. Lemon says
Yes, I just had it a couple weeks ago – see Sally’s version – http://afoodcentriclife.com/roasted-cauliflower/ She is an excellent chef and I have made many of her recipes – all delish. I actually love it in all its versions, but that was not always the case.
Thanks for stopping by John. I appreciate your comments.
M~
Bonnie Lane says
What a fun article! Who knew that cauliflower needs to be protected from sunburn and needs baby sitting if one desires to keep them white.
Ms. Lemon says
Yes, you must protect them or they will burn. I saw on youtube where a man uses clothes pins to pinch the green leaves together, but my Father-in-law used twine. You have to be a dedicated gardener and have a lot of patience. Thanks Bonnie for visiting.
Poppy says
I love cauliflower, always have, ever since I was a child and could never understand why so many of my friends and classmates would frown at the sound, even, of broccoli, Brussels sprouts or cauliflower, to name a few vegetables. Your curried version looks and sounds delicious; I love nutmeg with cheese and the creaminess of it looks like it would taste amazing! How wonderful that you can look back and appreciate the sage advice and useful lessons of your father-in-law’s wise words of experience.
Thanks for sharing!
Poppy
Ms. Lemon says
I think I was just too young to appreciate vegetables. I also think they were overcooked which makes them smell strong. And, yes on the a little nutmeg.
PJ Jonas says
The children and I love cauliflower. Hubby not so much, but he’s never tried it with curry. Thanks for the inspiration, I’ll give it a shot!
PJ
Ms. Lemon says
When the children like it and the dad doesn’t is a unlikely concept, but maybe he will be like me and just take a little longer to warm to it. I hope you all like it. Thanks for commenting PJ.
jennifer (@)onesimplecook.com says
This looks really colorful and yummy! I will have to try it. Thanks for the recipe
miss b says
When I was a child I really disliked cauliflower but now it’s one of my favourite vegetables especially with a cheese sauce. I must try your curry variation. Thanks for the recipe!
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
Britni says
We love cauliflower and I’m always looking for different ways to try it. Thanks for sharing on the weekend re-Treat Link Party!
Britni @ Play. Party. Pin.
Jann Olson says
I love cauliflower! Growing up my mom always served it in a cheese sauce. When we got married my hubby said he didn’t like cauliflower. Then he tried it with cheese sauce and changed his mind. It’s so interesting that there are two cauliflower posts this week. What a coincidence. Both sound yummy and I will try them! I recently made a recipe I had pinned that roasted cauliflower and then it was tossed with croutons and blue cheese dressing. Not even a big lover of blue cheese, but it was delicious! I’ve made it twice. Thanks for sharing with SYC. Pinned.
hugs,
Jann
Miz Helen says
We will just love your Curry Cauliflower and I can’t wait to taste it! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Brittany Ruth says
Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my German Foods post. I once tried to make the cauliflour pizza that I’ve been hearing about. It didn’t turn out so good for me though.
Ms. Lemon says
I saw the pizza online, but have not tried it. Thanks for stopping by.
Monique says
I am pretty crazy about cauliflower and just just baked my first one..in the oven..whole..:)
This looks DELICIOUS Madonna!
Ms. Lemon says
Thanks so much Monique. It takes pretty well to almost any spice and good cheese. I think the key is just not to cook it too long or it get strong like cabbage. I also make it in the oven and it is really delicious and a few less calories.
mari @ Once Upon a Plate says
Hello Madonna, I do like cauliflower and I’ll try it this way next with the addition of curry. I like to serve it roasted then drizzled very sparingly with a flavored nut oil, like walnut or hazelnut –it makes a very fine side dish ~or main course. You can add some finely chopped toasted nuts on top to finish, too.
Your father-in-law’s wisdom prevailed ~ I’m so happy you warmed up to cauliflower. 🙂
Thank you for sharing, and thank you for the kind words about my pup! xo ~m.
P.S. If you’re not getting my feed, I’m back at onceuponaplate.blogspot.com ~ there was a snag renewing my domain name. grrr! Have a great week!
Ms. Lemon says
Mari, I am so glad to hear from you. I will be right over.
Your suggestions sound wonderful and I will be trying them.
BeBetsy says
My family loves cooked cauliflower and we typically cook it in the oven with garlic, salt and red pepper – but they love curry even more so I think the combination is going to knock their socks off! (Sharon)
Thanks for sharing this on your gallery at Simply Bebetsy!
Sharon and Denise
Ms. Lemon says
Cauliflower is great in the oven and takes spice very well. I don’t know why I resisted for so long. I blame it on my youth.:)
M~
Miz Helen says
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured at Full Plate Thursday this week. Have a great weekend and enjoy your new Red Plate!
Miz Helen
Carol says
We eat cauliflower quite often around here, but my hubby had to warm up to it. We eat a low-carb diet, so I won him over one night when I made what I call “cauliflators.” That would be substituting cauliflower for potatoes and mashing them up just like you were making mashed potatoes. I use all the same things — butter, sour cream, salt & pepper. They are really good! I love the taste of curry, so your recipe sounds delicious!
Ms. Lemon says
That is funny. Glad he finally gave in. Roasting is a good way also, and it takes well to your favorite spice or herb. Thanks for stopping by, I love comments.
Ann (Thibeault's Table) says
Madonna, that looks and sounds wonderful. I’ll eat cauliflower just about any way except raw. Not big on raw vegetables.
~Ann
Ms. Lemon says
It took me a while but, now I will eat it about any way there is to make it. I really want to try your way. Thanks for stopping by.