Garlic Day, Jorj's Way!
It’s planting season and soon we will be reaping the rewards of all this Spring seedling.
One of the earliest greens to push their way up through the soil are garlic scapes.
These are the shoots that curl up as their bulbs grow underground.
How FUN it is that my birthday and National Garlic Day coincide?
Hmmmmmm. Maybe that’s why I reach for garlic as a staple in almost every meal I prepare!
Or maybe it’s because I love its strong, spicy taste that when calmed down reverts to a buttery, slightly sweet, savory treat.
I love roasted garlic.
It’s easy to prepare and it has so many uses. I mix it with softened butter and smear it on bruschetta or a sizzling steak.
I mix cloves into stews and soups, in sauces and spreads, and set out whole roasted bulbs on charcuterie boards.
Let me show you how really simple it is to prepare.
Even if you don’t have time to roast garlic in advance, all you need to do is toss in some cloves and cook your garlic with whatever else you have going on.
Just like I do in my recipe for Garlic-Roasted Cauliflower in Cheesy Sauce.
Garlic-Roasted Cauliflower in Cheesy Sauce.
Serves 4 to 6
Time To Prepare
20 minutes plus about 30 minutes to roast ’til it’s ready
Ingredients
For cauliflower:
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into (1-inch) florets, about 5 to 6 cups
- 1 head garlic, cloves peeled and thinly sliced, about ½ cup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
For cheese sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated, about 1 cup
- 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, finely grated, about ½ cup
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°.
Add the florets to a baking dish. Toss in the garlic cloves. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with paprika. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook until the cauliflower is tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Heat the butter in a deep pot over medium-high heat.
Whisk in the flour. Cook until golden and bubbling, about 2 to 4 minutes.
Pour in the milk. Cook, stirring constantly until the sauce is thickened, about 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted.
Remove the baking dish from the oven.
Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Place the baking dish back into the oven and bake until the sauce begins to brown and bubble, about 5 minutes more.
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