Brazilian recipe
Creamy Cauliflower Bake with Requeijão
A simple and delicious oven-baked cauliflower dish featuring a creamy Brazilian spread sauce and a crunchy parmesan cheese topping. A perfect, comforting vegetarian side.
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Ingredients
1 medium head of cauliflower
Water and salt to taste (for boiling)
1 tub of Brazilian creamy spread (requeijão)
Grated parmesan cheese to taste
Shoestring potato sticks (batata palha) to taste
Water and salt to taste (for boiling)
1 tub of Brazilian creamy spread (requeijão)
Grated parmesan cheese to taste
Shoestring potato sticks (batata palha) to taste
Where to find ingredients
1. Cauliflower: Available at any local produce market, greengrocer, or supermarket vegetable section.
2. Requeijão: This unique Brazilian creamy spread is best sourced from specialty food stores, delis that stock imported Latin American goods, or online specialty ethnic grocers. If unavailable, a high-quality, thick cream cheese thinned with a splash of milk or a mild, spreadable processed cheese can be used as a substitute, though the original product provides the most authentic flavor.
3. Parmesan Cheese: Easily found in the dairy or cheese section of all local supermarkets.
4. Shoestring Potato Sticks (Batata Palha): Look for these in the snack aisle or international specialty section of major supermarkets. They are a staple pantry item for adding crunch to these types of dishes.
2. Requeijão: This unique Brazilian creamy spread is best sourced from specialty food stores, delis that stock imported Latin American goods, or online specialty ethnic grocers. If unavailable, a high-quality, thick cream cheese thinned with a splash of milk or a mild, spreadable processed cheese can be used as a substitute, though the original product provides the most authentic flavor.
3. Parmesan Cheese: Easily found in the dairy or cheese section of all local supermarkets.
4. Shoestring Potato Sticks (Batata Palha): Look for these in the snack aisle or international specialty section of major supermarkets. They are a staple pantry item for adding crunch to these types of dishes.
Preparation method
- Boil the cauliflower in salted water until just tender, making sure it retains some bite, then drain and set aside
- Place the cooked cauliflower in the centre of a baking dish and scatter the shoestring potatoes around the edges
- In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the creamy spread until it becomes slightly more fluid
- Season the spread to your liking with finely diced onion, fresh parsley, and spring onions, stirring well to combine
- Pour the warm, creamy sauce evenly over the cauliflower in the baking dish
- Generously sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the top to create a crust
- Pop the dish into a preheated oven and bake until it is beautifully gratinated and golden brown on top
Observations
This gratinated cauliflower with creamy spread is a classic, comforting vegetarian dish that is just as perfect for a quick weeknight meal as it is for a special family gathering. The cauliflower is cooked until just tender, maintaining its bite, then smothered in a rich, velvety sauce made with Brazilian creamy spread (requeijão), finished off with a golden, crispy layer of parmesan and shoestring potatoes for that extra texture. It is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that makes for a wonderful, fuss-free vegetarian main or a substantial side to any feast.
The process is straightforward, meaning you won't spend all night in the kitchen. Once the cauliflower is parboiled, you simply arrange it in a baking dish, coat it in the creamy sauce, and let the oven do the hard work of creating a gorgeous, bubbly, golden-brown top that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
The process is straightforward, meaning you won't spend all night in the kitchen. Once the cauliflower is parboiled, you simply arrange it in a baking dish, coat it in the creamy sauce, and let the oven do the hard work of creating a gorgeous, bubbly, golden-brown top that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
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