Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Fontina Cheese Sauce

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I’m not a picky eater, but I am a particular eater.

I enjoy fruit and chocolate, but never together (which is how these coconut butter dipped strawberries came to be).

I love poached eggs, but not super runny yolks. If you eat breakfast with me, I’ll always clarify to the server, “medium poached, like I don’t want yellow oozing everywhere  when you I poke it with a fork.” I know some of you are shaking your head and saying, “but that’s the best part!

Hot coffee, never iced. Even when it’s 89 degrees at 7:00 am, and the humidity is already at 65%. To me, it doesn’t have as much flavor, aNd I can’t drink it as fast.

And cheese. Except don’t build me a cold sandwich with a cold piece of cheese. I will pick it off every single time, and have done so since I was a child. But this only applies to sandwiches.

Now warm, melted cheese… that’s where my true love resides. In just about every application, such as Hot Buffalo Cauliflower Dip…. but especially savory fontina cheese sauce that sinks into SMOKING hot whole roasted cauliflower.

With edges charred and browned, dried herbs mixed with olive oil and a little dijon mustard giving it a crust that most with associate with meat.

This is the kind of dish that wins friends. Both those who love vegetables, and those who might be convinced to try only because of the cheese.

The Secret to the Best Whole Roasted Cauliflower

I learned from Joy The Baker that simmering the whole head of cauliflower (basically poaching) in a “brine” before roasted partially cooks the cauliflower, so that it is cooked from the inside out. For the brine,

I used (peppercorns, olive oil, garlic, bay leaves) infuses them with initial flavor all the way through.

Now that the cauliflower is partially cooked, roasting will take care of the crispy edges, turn the core tender, and impart delicious. It’s so tender it nearly melts in your mouth.

Making Gluten-Free Cheese Sauce

When making cheese sauces, I like using fontina (made from cow’s milk) because it melts like a gem and is extremely versatile. Roth Cheese, from my neighbor state, Wisconsin, produce a Swedish-style Fontina. The smooth, creamy body accents the slightly tart flavor and mild, yeasty finish.

This sauce recipe evolved from the rosemary bechamel I used on cauliflower steaks at a recent dinner party, and couldn’t have been more perfect for this whole roasted version. To make it gluten-free, you’ll use brown rice flour to make the roux.

Savory. Rich. A golden, crackly masterpiece. Comfort feelings reminiscent of those I had when eating deep fried cauliflower and cheddar cheese sauce at the local watering hole with my parents when I was young. Except it’s a little more refined, quite impressive to serve, and wholesome, real food magic. Enjoy, xo.

More Cauliflower Recipes:

• Hot Buffalo Cauliflower Dip
• Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad with Sage Butter
• Marinated Turkey Breast Tenderloin with Garlic Cauliflower Puree

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Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Fontina Cheese Sauce

A recipe for whole roasted cauliflower with a delicious crispy crust, finished with a creamy fontina cheese sauce poured on top. Makes for a beautiful vegetarian main dish!

4.44 from 16 votes

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Prep Time :20 minutes minutes

Cook Time :1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Total Time :1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Yield: 5

Author: Amanda Paa

Ingredients

Cauliflower

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
• 1 head of garlic smashed
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium head of cauliflower leave removed and core cut off a bit on the bottom so it sits flat

Cauliflower Crust

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley (or oregano)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dijion mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Fontina Cheese Sauce

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons brown rice flour
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 2 1/2 cups two percent milk
• 2 1/2 ounces Roth fontina cheese shredded
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• grated fresh nutmeg

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Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Bring large pot of water (I use a 5 quart dutch oven and fill it about 5 inches to the top. You’re looking to give the cauliflower room to float) to boiling. Stir in all of cauliflower ingredients, then put in cauliflower, core side facing the ceiling (so top of head down). Simmer for 15 minutes, until cauliflower is fork tender.
• Drain cauliflower, and carefully place it on parchment lined sheet pan. Whisk crust ingredients together and brush all over cauliflower crust (if your cauliflower is really large, use an extra tablespoon of oil when mixing the ingredients up). Bake for 40 minutes, until crust is charred and brown. You can broil for a few minutes at end to really get crispy edges.
• Meanwhile, heat butter in a saucepan on medium to melt. Whisk in flour, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, so flour can get heated through. Then whisk in cream and milk, until smooth. Add salt and bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, until sauce starts to thicken.
• Add shredded cheese and whisk, until melted. Cook for one minute, than add rosemary, parsley and a few gratings of fresh nutmeg. Taste, and add a little salt if needed.
• Pour over warm cauliflower, and reserve some for dipping.