Frugal Cauliflower Cheese with Bacon
Monday, September 7th, 2009
I was recently working out how to make Cauliflower Cheese without
a) spending a whole heap of money on cheese
b) trying to make the dish tasty by using limited amounts of ingredients in a eating plan I am following to lose weight.
I did succeed and was pleased that the final result was actually quite tasty..
Here is what I spent and here is the recipe!
Wartime Cauliflower Cheese with Bacon
*1 fresh cauliflower ($1.99)
*2 tablespoons cornstarch (10 c)
*1/2 pint milk (50 c)
*1 onion or 1 leek (25 c)
*1 weekly ration of bacon ($1.50)
*2 oz cheese (50 c)
*salt and pepper
*horseradish or mustard
*knob of butter
TOTAL COST = Less than $5 for 4 people
Method
Steam or boil the cauliflower and then drain well
While it’s cooking make the sauce. Mix the cornstarch into a thick paste with a little of the milk, add the rest of the milk and add a knob of butter.
Place on heat and slowly bring to a simmer stirring all the time, lower heat and add in salt & pepper, a little horseradish or dried mustard
Fry onions or leeks and chopped bacon in a separate pan
When browned add to white sauce and mix in well
Place cauliflower piled up in overproof dish
Pre-heat grill/broiler to quite high
Pour THICK sauce over the top
Grate the 2 oz of STRONG cheddar over the top, sprinkle with salt and pepper
Place under grill until topping is nice and browned
Serves 4 if serving with large backed potato and veggies
