For the Weight Watchers Diet

Cauliflower cheese, even the words sound comforting and warm, and, it was always called cauliflower cheese as opposed to cauliflower gratin in our household when I was growing up, a simple and frugal dish that was often on the table towards the end of the week (or month) when the housekeeping pennies were short, and when cheese was cheaper per lb than meat was, which isn’t the case today! Today’s recipe for Healthy Cauliflower Cheese has all the essential elements of the original comforting dish, but has been lightened up by using skimmed milk and reduced fat Cheddar cheese, as well as cutting back on the butter in the white sauce. It still tastes wonderful, with a rich cheesy sauce, but is much lower in fat and calories than the classic dish, making it a healthy mid-week family supper that can be enjoyed by all, whether they be watching their weight or not.

In collaboration with Panasonic, this recipe was created using the Panasonic Steam Combination Oven that I have been reviewing over the last few weeks; the model I was sent to test and use is the Panasonic Steam Combination Microwave NN-CS894S, a sleek and very modern looking oven, I have quite simply fallen in love with it and use it almost daily. I can bake in it, which as an avid baker of bread, cakes and pastry etc is a big plus, and there’s the added benefit of the steam element in the oven, which is another factor that is invaluable when baking bread in particular, and especially artisan style loaves such as sourdough and French baguettes. The oven is easy to use, and in the case of today’s recipe for healthy cauliflower cheese, I cooked the cauliflower, the white sauce and the completed dish from start to finish in the oven, saving on pots and pans, and energy.

You can of course cook this recipe in a normal convection oven too, and boil the cauliflower on top of the hob or cook it in a conventional microwave, BOTH cooking methods are shared in the recipe below. I served this for a light supper one evening when there was still frost on the ground, with a glass of Aldi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (which was crisp with a distinct peach and lime flavour and a slight fizz), and a side salad with some locally grown radishes, which we both love. For those readers who like me are on a diet, each portion for those following the Weight Watchers diet, is only 6 Pro-Points or 8 Smart-Points on the newest diet plan. I made soup with the leftovers, I DO love cauliflower cheese soup, but, this freezes well too, which is handy for an impromptu supper dish or for a tasty accompaniment to Sunday lunch. The key to this dish is the cheese, is HAS to be EXTRA mature Cheddar cheese and the English mustard powder, which gives a warm and subtle kick to the cheese sauce.

Do keep popping back for more new recipes, as well as some new traveller’s tales I am sharing, from Canada and Ireland, and please let me know if you make today’s’ recipe, it’s always nice to hear what people think of the recipes I share here. Karen 

Disclaimer: I was sent the Panasonic Steam Combination Microwave NN-CS894S for free and in return for an honest and unbiased review; all views and opinions are my own and I was not paid to write this post. I shared this review with my readers as I was very impressed with the performance and ease of use with this combination steam microwave oven. 

A Wine Review

Disclaimer: I was sent a case of Aldi Exquisite Collection wines to review and was also compensated financially for my time. All views and opinions are my own. 

Healthy Cauliflower Cheese

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Serves	4
Prep time	15 minutes
Cook time	30 minutes
Total time	45 minutes
Dietary	Vegetarian
Meal type	Lunch, Main Dish, Side Dish, Snack
Misc	Child Friendly, Serve Hot
Occasion	Casual Party, Christmas, Easter, Formal Party, Halloween, Thanksgiving
Region	British
By author	Karen Burns-Booth

A family classic made lighter, this Healthy Cauliflower Cheese would make the perfect mid-week family supper and can be cooked from start to finish in the Panasonic Steam Combination Microwave Oven, as well as the more conventional way on the hob top and in the oven or under the grill. (6 Pro-Points or 8 Smart Points per portion for all those following the Weight Watchers diet)

Ingredients

• 1 cauliflower, trimmed and broken into florets (about 450g to 500g in weight)
• 25g butter
• 50g plain flour
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 600ml skimmed milk
• 100g reduced fat extra mature Cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Note

A family classic made lighter, this Healthy Cauliflower Cheese would make the perfect mid-week family supper and can be cooked from start to finish in the Panasonic Steam Combination Microwave Oven, as well as the more conventional way on the hob top and in the oven or under the grill. (6 Pro-Points or 8 Smart Points per portion for all those following the Weight Watchers diet)

Directions

Step 1	To cook in the Panasonic Steam Combination Oven: Fill the Steam Water Tank. Place the cauliflower florets on the trivet on the glass shelf in the middle shelf position. Cook on STEAM 1 + LOW MICROWAVE for 15 minutes. Drain and set the cauliflower to one side in an oven proof glass dish.
Step 2	Place butter in bowl, and cook on HIGH MICROWAVE for 15-30 secs. Stir in flour and mustard powder. Cook for a further 15 secs. Add milk gradually. Stir well and season. Cook on HIGH MICROWAVE for 2-3 mins. or until sauce is thick and bubbling. Stir halfway. Stir in three-quarters of the grated Cheddar cheese.
Step 3	Pour the sauce over the cauliflower. Top with remaining Cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. Place dish on the glass shelf in the lowest shelf position and cook on CONVECTION 220°C + GRILL 2 + WARM MICROWAVE for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 4	To cook on top of the hob and in a normal oven: Pre-heat oven to 225C or 450°F. Place the cauliflower florets into a large pan of salted, boiling water and cook until JUST tender for 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and spoon the florets into an oven proof glass dish, such as a Pyrex dish.
Step 5	Add the milk, flour and butter to a saucepan. Beat together over a medium heat with a wire whisk continuously until the sauce thickens and is smooth. Allow to simmer for a further 2 minutes. Add three-quarters of the grated cheese, mustard and the seasoning. Cook for further minute stirring well. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower.
Step 6	Sprinkle the remaining Cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese over the top. Place under a hot grill until golden brown, OR, bake in a pre-heated oven for about 15 to 25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Serve immediately with side salad.

My other Panasonic Posts & Recipes:

Testing the Panasonic Steam Combination Microwave

Apple Rose Tarts for Mother’s Day