Cauliflower Casserole

Popsicles are great but a person has to have a decent meal from time to time.

Like ice-cream, for example!

Kidding. Kidding.

The thing is that recently I felt like having some pasta.

I threw an inspecting look into the fridge, found one cute cauliflower in there and the idea was born instantly.

Cauliflower casserole!

Though I was really craving something casserole-like, I started to consider whether it wouldn’t be too rich for summer days like we are having right now.

But after I had the first bite of this dish all worries were gone.

I knew everything was perfectly all right because this dish was light, nutritious, satisfying, flavorful and delicious.

To prove it all I’ll tell you that my man loved it.

And that’s the best evidence!

For me, at least…

These are the ingredients I’ve used to prepare the dish.

Hello, elbow macaroni.

I love that name!

I think that ‘elbow macaroni’ is the cutest named pasta in the whole world.

Don’t you think?

Oh, sorry, here are the instructions!

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.

2. This is cauliflower.

What would you do if you didn’t have me here to explain things like these?

Hmm, sorry again! You know – me and the attention span, we are not good friends.

Anyhow, trim the cauliflower, separate it into florets and wash them.

3. Chop the pepper and onions.

4. Melt 1 tablespoon (14 grams) butter in a larger pan over medium heat.
5. Place the onions, peppers and cauliflower into the pan and stir-fry for about 5 minutes.

We don’t need the vegetables to get perfectly soft – the baking will do the job.
6. Set aside.

7. In a separate pan, melt the remaining butter (2 tablespoons – 28 grams) over medium-low heat.

8. Stir in the flour and mix until smooth and bubbly.

9. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly.

10. Season with the salt and pepper.
11. Continue cooking and stirring just until the mixture becomes thicker.

12. Then grate the cheese.

You can use any cheese you like.

I’m this liberal!

13. Throw half of the cheese into the mixture.
14. Stir just until the cheese melts.

Then remove the pan from heat.

15. In a larger bowl combine the pasta, cauliflower mixture and the milk/cheese mixture.

16. Pour the mixture  into your baking dish.

17. And sprinkle with the rest of the cheese and with the bread crumbs.

18. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 30 minutes.

Yum!

This dish tastes best when served warm.

Enjoy, dear friends!

(This dish serves about 6 people.)

Garlic Cheese Bread with Olives

There’s been a lot of fun in my kitchen this week.

Of course, I will show you all the creations in the upcoming posts.

Among the things that I have made or plan to make this week there’s garlic bread, cauliflower casserole, orange-vanilla popsicles, strawberry cheesecake and also a special surprise that has something to do with Friday’s GIVEAWAY.

So stay tuned!

And now back to the ‘Garlic Cheese Bread’.

Have you ever tried making your own garlic cheese bread?

Well, you definitely need to give it a try.

It’s the best thing ever!

Because it’s easy.

And it has a magical ability to make your soul happy!

And because when you make it you’ll get rewarded by a wonderful crispy piece of fragrant and flavorful heaven.

Need I say anything more?

Please, have a look at how I made this finger-licking treat…

These are the ingredients I used.

The olives and oregano are optional but if you use them you’ll be glad you’ve done so.

First, you need two loaves of French bread.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Split the loaves in half lengthwise.

3. Now peel and chop the garlic cloves finely.

4. Place the garlic into a bowl, add the olive oil…

5. … and mix.

I love garlic!

Have I told you that once I almost killed my brother-in-law with the amount of garlic I’d served him for dinner?

These are the olives I used.

You can use any kind of olives you like – I decided to go for the ones with sweet pepper inside.

Just because I liked the way they looked.

6. Slice the olives.

This is dried oregano trying to look its best for the picture.

7. Grate the cheese.

Again, use any kind you like. Edam, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Parmesan.

Or use all of them.

See? I’m so liberal when it comes to cooking – no strict rules really. To me it’s all about having fun and about the current content of the fridge. Because that’s what’s really important, right? To empty the fridge.

8. Now that we have prepared everything we can start taking care of the bread loaves.

Line a larger baking sheet with parchment paper and place the loaves onto it – cut side up.
9. Spread 1/4 of the garlic/oil mixture over each bread.

10. Scatter the olives over the top.

11. And sprinkle generously with the cheese and the oregano.

12. Then pop the baking sheet into the oven for about 10 minutes.

13. Remove the loaves from the oven and cut them into smaller pieces…

… and enjoy…


… and enjoy!

Send this to a friend