Cauliflower Welsh Rarebit with Tomato

This Welsh dish oozes tradition.

serves
4
Making Time
1 1⁄4 hour

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 whole medium cauliflower
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1⁄2 tsp paprika powder
  • Small pinch sea salt
  • Big pinch black pepper
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Sprigs fresh thyme (to garnish)
  • For the cheese sauce:
  • 3 tbsp plain flour
  • 40 g butter
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 30 ml milk
  • 50 g grated cheese (strong cheddar cheese and parmigiano reggiano cheese)
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce ( or ‘mushroom ketchup’ would be the vegetarian option)
  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)

PREPARATION

  1. Pre-heat oven to gas 5. Slice the cauliflower into 4 thick pieces and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Drizzle over the olive oil and rub in the salt, pepper and paprika. Cook for 50mins-1hr, until lightly golden and cooked through. Flip each cauliflower slice halfway through cooking.

  2. After the Cauliflower has been in the oven for 20 mins, pop a tray of cherry tomatoes, ideally still on the vine into the oven (6-8 tomatoes per person). These will roast for the reminder of the cauliflower cooking time.

  3. Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce by adding the flour, butter and olive oil to a saucepan. Melt and cook out the flour for 1 min stirring continuously with a fork. Add 250ml of the milk in 2-3 goes, continuing to stir with a fork. Let the mixture thicken before you add a little more milk. This process should take 2-3mins. Then add the cheese and the remainder of the milk, little by little and stir until the cheese has melted and you have a smooth, thick sauce. Add the seasoning, taste and adjust as needed.

  4. You should now have all the components: cooked roast cauliflower slices, cherry tomatoes and a cheese sauce. To finish, spoon a little of the cheese sauce onto a plate and add the cauliflower slices. Spoon some more sauce over the top of each cauliflower slice. Add a few drops of Worcestershire sauce over the top and place under a grill for 5mins until golden.

  5. Serve with the tomatoes and a few sprigs of fresh thyme.

PAIR WITH: CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Classic and velvety, with notes of juicy blackcurrants, sweet mocha and spice.

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