Brazilian recipe
Creamy Cauliflower Gratin with Requeijão
A comforting, vegetarian-friendly cauliflower bake featuring a smooth, creamy Brazilian requeijão sauce and a golden parmesan crust.
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Ingredients
1 medium head of cauliflower
Water and sea salt (for blanching the cauliflower)
1 tub of requeijão cremoso
Grated parmesan cheese, to taste
Potato sticks (batata palha), for topping
Water and sea salt (for blanching the cauliflower)
1 tub of requeijão cremoso
Grated parmesan cheese, to taste
Potato sticks (batata palha), for topping
Where to find ingredients
Requeijão cremoso: This is a signature Brazilian creamy cheese spread. Look for it in the dairy aisle or the 'International Foods' section of specialty supermarkets; sometimes it is available in Latin American specialty stores. If unavailable, a high-quality, thick cream cheese mixed with a little heavy cream can be used as a substitute, though it will lack the authentic flavor. Batata palha: These are thin, crispy potato matchsticks. They are standard in Brazilian pantries but can often be found in the international section of large supermarkets or at Latin American grocers. Parmesan cheese: Readily available in the cheese section of any grocery store; fresh grated is recommended for the best melt.
Preparation method
- Boil the cauliflower in salted water until it is just tender but still firm, then drain well
- Place the cooked cauliflower into a baking dish and sprinkle the potato sticks around the edges
- In a small saucepan, gently warm the requeijão over low heat until it becomes fluid
- Season the warm requeijão with aromatics like finely diced onion, fresh parsley, and spring onions, stirring until well combined
- Pour the seasoned requeijão sauce evenly over the cauliflower in the baking dish
- Generously sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the top
- Bake in a preheated oven until the top is beautifully golden and the sauce is bubbling
Observations
This cauliflower gratin with requeijão is a classic Brazilian-style vegetarian comfort dish that hits the spot when you're craving something hearty and warming. The cauliflower is blanched until tender-crisp, then smothered in a rich, velvety sauce made with authentic Brazilian requeijão. Once topped with a generous dusting of parmesan and baked until bubbly, the result is an irresistible, golden-brown side dish that elevates any meal.
It is straightforward to put together and perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or as a standout vegetable side for a weekend roast. Simply boil the cauliflower, assemble it in your baking dish with the creamy sauce, and let the oven do the rest of the work. The contrast between the soft cauliflower and the slightly salty, crispy topping is what makes this simple dish a real family favorite.
It is straightforward to put together and perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or as a standout vegetable side for a weekend roast. Simply boil the cauliflower, assemble it in your baking dish with the creamy sauce, and let the oven do the rest of the work. The contrast between the soft cauliflower and the slightly salty, crispy topping is what makes this simple dish a real family favorite.
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