Cauliflower Gratin

1 2-lb head of cauliflower, cut into florets

½ medium onion, small dice

2 cups milk, at room temperature

4 T unsalted butter, divided

3 T all-purpose flour

1 cup shredded Swiss or white cheddar cheese (not pre-shredded), divided

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp fresh ground pepper

1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

1 tsp Dijon mustard

½ cup fresh bread crumbs or Panko crumbs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Prepare the cauliflower. Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add about a tablespoon of salt to season the water. When the water comes to a boil add the cauliflower. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until you start to smell the aroma of cauliflower cooking. Drain the cauliflower and immediately add it to the bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Set the bowl of cauliflower aside to cool.

Meanwhile, butter your baking dish and set it aside. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, and sweat the onion until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the 3 tablespoons of flour, stirring to combine well with the onion and butter mixture. Cook the flour mixture for a minute or two to cook off the flour taste.

Stir the milk into the flour mixture. Season with the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Bring the milk mixture to a boil, stirring constantly until thickened and covers the back of a spoon. Remove the pan for the heat and stir in one half of the Swiss cheese and all of the Parmesan cheese. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a bowl. Add the bread crumbs to the butter and toss to combine. Using a fork, toss remaining Swiss cheese with the buttered bread crumbs.

Drain the cauliflower and transfer it into the baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower. Sprinkle the bread crumb and cheese mixture over the top. Add a little extra ground black pepper for color. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cauliflower is browned and bubbly.

Enjoy!