When you can't decide between Creamed Cauliflower or Wisconsin Potatoes.... make them both!
Creamed Cauliflower
2 heads of cauliflower, cut into florets
Kosher salt
4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
4 tablespoons of flour
3 cups of heavy cream (or half and half or whole milk)
1 teaspoon of nutmeg
Black pepper
Fresh tarragon (or thyme)
Wisconsin Potatoes
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 2 pound package frozen cubed or shredded potatoes, thawed
1 16 oz container sour cream
1 cup grated onion
1 15 oz can condensed cream of chicken soup
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
Crushed corn flakes cereal
Salt and pepper, to taste
Creamed Cauliflower:
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt it generously, about 1-2 tablespoons. Cut your cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Easiest way is to remove the stem and then break it apart with your hands into small florets. Add the cauliflower florets to the salted, boiling water. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until tender, but not falling apart.
2. While the cauliflower is boiling, make your béchamel sauce. Béchamel is simply butter, flour and milk. It's the start to a mac-n-cheese sauce, any creamed vegetable dish, and it's one of those sauces you need to master. It's a game changer in cooking! So, start by making your roux, which is the thickening agent in this sauce. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a sauce pan. Then, sprinkle in 4 tablespoons of flour, and whisk together on medium heat. Cook this for about 1-2 minutes, or until the raw flour taste is cooked out. Then, slowly add in 3 cups of milk, cream, whatever you have (I use heavy cream for this because why the hell not), and whisk, whisk, whisk! Bring to high heat and continue whisking until the mixture gets thick. This will take about 4-5 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt, pepper, of nutmeg, and fresh tarragon. Your sauce should be thick here. It will thin out when you add the cauliflower to the pan, because there will be moisture attached to the veggie.
3. When your cauliflower is cooked to your liking, add it directly into your béchamel sauce. Combine everything together until every piece of cauliflower is coated in your sauce. Taste for seasonings. Garnish with fresh tarragon and enjoy!!
Wisconsin Potatoes:
1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Start by melting your stick of butter. Once melted add it to a large mixing bowl along with the potatoes, sour cream, onion, soup, and cheddar cheese. Season with a pinch of salt and 1 tbsp ground black pepper. Mix until combined and then add to a 13x9 baking dish. Cover the top with crushed corn flakes. Bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the mixture is bubbling.
