Make Ahead

Cauliflower and Mushroom Gratin

October  2, 2015
4.5
4 Ratings
Photo by garlic and zest
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

I was inspired by a recipe in the Ottolenghi cookbook, and swapped out the main ingredients for a completely different approach. It's a delicious side dish with roasted or grilled meat, or a satisfying vegetarian main with a tossed salad and crusty bread.
garlic and zest

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Ingredients
  • for the gratin:
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 8 ounces crimini mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 fresh sage leaves, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, peeled and thinly sliced root to tip
  • 4 cups cauliflower, cut into bite sized florets
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup cream
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • for the crumble
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/4" dice
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon freshly chopped sage
  • chopped fresh parsley for garnish
  • additional small sage leaves for garnish
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest for garnish, to taste
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In a small bowl combine the flour, sugar and butter. Use your fingertips to blend the ingredients together until they form small crumbles and holds together when you pinch some between your thumb and forefinger. Add the parmesan and sage and toss to combine. Set aside.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté until they've given up their liquid and begin to brown, 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and sage and cook for 30-40 seconds until fragrant. Remove pan from heat and cover with a tight fitting lid - to steam and soften the sage and garlic, without browning. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl combine the cauliflower and onions. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper and toss to coat. Add the mushrooms and parmesan cheese and toss to distribute the ingredients evenly. Transfer the vegetables into a small square or rectangular casserole dish, about 8" x 8".
  5. Stir together the broth and cream and pour over the vegetables. Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the gratin. Cover the gratin with tin foil and bake for 45 minutes, until cauliflower and onions are very tender. Remove the foil and dot the top of the gratin with cherry tomatoes. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until tomatoes pop and slump.
  6. While gratin is still warm sprinkle with parsley, a few small sage leaves and lemon zest. Serve.

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2 Reviews

liliana September 16, 2020
PS
Does Food 52 test posted recipes ???
liliana September 16, 2020
The baking instructions do not make sense to me.
400 F for 45 minutes under foil and an extra 15-20 at the end?
Moreover, the "crumble" under foil becomes a soggy paste.
Without foil but then under tomatoes the "crumble" never revives.

As I like all combination of ingredients I will make the following changes:
20 minutes under foil without the crumble.
Foil removed and tomatoes next with crumble on top.
Another 20 minutes.
Some time may be added at the end so the crumble is browned.
Or maybe the tomatoes should be on top from the start.