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(5 votes, average: 4.40 out of 5)
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This high protein high calorie cauliflower gratin is a low carb, gluten free version of the classic British nursery dish Cauliflower Cheese. In a world where low fat foods are considered healthy, it can seem counterintuitive to cook with heavy cream, but for those who lose weight during treatment, it’s important to get in as many calories as possible from proteins and fat. This soothing, tasty vegetarian delight does just that. It packs in the calories. Easy to make, it is the perfect savory treat for anyone who needs an extra boost to keep their weight up. This tasty,and deliciously cheesy dish will tempt the most jaded chemo palate!
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Take a gratin or other shallow dish just big enough to hold the cauliflower in one layer. Grease and set aside.
2. Steam the cauliflower: Pack the cauliflower florets tightly into a pan in one layer – stem sides down. Add about 1 inch of water or enough to cover the stems but not the heads. Sprinkle with salt and bring to a boil. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave to steam.
3. Meanwhile sauté the shallots until just colored and sprinkle over the bottom of the gratin dish. Set aside.
4. Meanwhile add the ricotta, milk, grated Parmesan, and a pinch of salt into a blender. Grate nutmeg over the top. Pulse until well blended and creamily. Taste for salt. Set aside.
5. Drain the cauliflower and pat dry if needed. Arrange in the prepared gratin dish, stems down and heads up. Pour the ricotta mixture over the cauliflower letting it sink between the florets. Sprinkle the cauliflower with half the cheese, then half the breadcrumbs. Repeat. Bake on a mid to high shelf for about 20-25 minutes or until the ricotta is bubbling and the cheese and breadcrumbs golden brown. Let the gratin sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, broken into 1” florets
- 2 shallots thinly sliced ( see Ann’s Tips)
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup of ricotta cheese
- 1 cup of double cream
- 2 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 cup of grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup gluten free or whole wheat breadcrumbs, divided
- salt to taste
- Butter for greasing
Nutritional Information
Calories
686 cals
Fat
51 g
Saturated Fat
30 g
Polyunsaturated Fat
3 g
Monounsaturated Fat
15 g
Carbohydrates
36 g
Sugar
9 g
Fiber
5 g
Protein
25 g
Sodium
860 mg
*per serving
Ann's Tips and Tricks
Check out Cauliflower Gratin for the regular lower calorie version of this dish
