Cauliflower and Carrot Gratin

By Addie

"An old standby for me. I like the fact that it can be made earlier in the day and finished off before dinner. Once again, based on an old Canadian Living recipe. Vary the vegetables if you like. Using whole baby carrots work well too and makes for a pretty presentation, as you can see from the photo."

Ingredients

• Gratin Topping:
• 1 cauliflower ( 2 lb.)
• 3 large carrots ( 1/2 lb.) (or baby carrots)
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1/2 cup shredded old cheddar cheese
• .......................................
• 1/2 cup shredded old cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs 1/4 cup melted butter

Preparation

Step 1

Divide cauliflower into florets. Cut carrots diagonally into 1/4 inch slices.

In saucepan of boiling salted water, cook cauliflower until tender crisp, about 8 minutes; remove with slotted spoon and drain in colander. Cook carrots in same water until tender crisp, about 8 minutes; remove with slotted spoon and add to cauliflower.

Measure and remove 1/2 cup cooking liquid.

For the sauce, in a heavy pan melt butter, stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 3-4 minutes without browning. Whisk in reserved cooking liquid and milk; cook, again stirring constantly, until sauce is smooth and thick. Stir in salt, pepper and nutmeg.
Blend in cheese.

Place vegetables in a greased 8 cup gratin dish, keeping all vegetables at about the same level and spoon sauce over top.

Note: Recipe can be prepared ahead to this point; bring to room temp before baking.

For the gratin, combine cheese, breadcrumbs and butter and sprinkle over casserole.

Bake in 375 oven for 15 minutes if ingredients are warm, 20-25 minutes if at room temperature.

Broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp and brown topping and serve immediately.

Note: You can substitute any combination of vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, parsnips, celery, onions, potatoes or rutabaga as long as the total is about 2 1/2 lbs.
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REVIEWS:

Creamy and delicious. I may try to use a sharper cheese next time for more "tang," but otherwise it was a crowd pleaser all around. Will definitely make again.

This is fantastic. I added broccoli in addition to the cauliflower and carrots. Will be serving this at Thanksgiving.

I made this a few months ago, forgot to review!! I used carrots, broccoli and cauliflower, it looked like the picture posted! All my family enjoyed this dish!

The picture made me do it! It's a great recipe. The only qualm I have is that it's very high in fat. Next time I would use mozzarella cheese and omit the butter from the gratin part. It was a great way to use veggies and went well with fish and steamed peas. It's a more gourmet version of a veggie side my mom makes with pork chops: steamed cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots with cheese sauce. Love it!

This was amazing and loved by all... even those that didn't like cauliflower. I took some pics but by the time I looked at them, the meal was way gone. I'm not happy with the pics so will wait till I make it again. My daughter wanted the recipe so she could try many different vegetables. Thanks for a great vegetable dish.