Skinny Cheesy Coconut Cauliflower

Skinny Cheesy Coconut Caulifower | simply fresh dinners

I did it!  I set out to make a delicious, guilt-free cheese sauce with a kick and I did it!  This is such a fun dish – roasted cauliflower, 12 grain bread, and walnuts topped with a spicy cheese sauce that you can enjoy without counting the calories.  I’m so proud of this sauce because it tastes better than any other cheese sauce I’ve had.  I don’t know about you but I just love cheese and I find that the sauces are often too rich and really spoil the meal for me.  Not this one – I got rid of the cream and butter without ditching the taste.

“How did you perform this miracle?” you ask.  Well, I’m not going to be able to tell you because I plan on making millions when I market it so you’ll just have to guess for now.  Kidding! Sorta!  I’ll share it with you, my readers, but you have to promise to keep it to yourselves before I launch my sales campaign in the new year.  If you can agree to this, you can read on.  If not…well, go to the Cheez Whiz website  because that’s what you’ll be doomed to eat forever, lol.

PicMonkey CollageB

Do you make cauliflower or broccoli with cheese sauce as a side dish at Christmas? The inspiration for this recipe came from Good Food on the BBC website.  It appealed to me because I hadn’t seen it done quite like this before.   This is a quick and easy dish that you can slide into the oven as you take the turkey/ham/prime rib out to rest.  It takes about 40 minutes so it will be piping hot and ready when you sit down to eat.

Skinny Cheesy Coconut Caulifower | simply fresh dinners

You can add whatever fresh herbs you like to suit your tastes.  I’m a big fan of rosemary but parsley, thyme, tarragon, sage or chives would be a great addition, too.

This dish simply requires you to boil the florets for 5 minutes before letting them rest, patting them dry and putting them into your roasting pan.  Add your dried out bread pieces, sprinkle some walnuts and slip into the oven.  While it cooks for 15 minutes you can make the easy-peasy cheese sauce, add it to your cauliflower and cook for another twenty.  I saved a little sauce and added it at the end just cos I love cheese that much!

Skinny Cheesy Coconut Caulifower

I used a mature white cheddar and I’d recommend that you don’t skimp on the cheese and buy quality.  It doesn’t look white because there is paprika and cayenne in there.  You can use any colour cheddar you like and, in fact, there are a few other cheeses you could use if you’re not a fan of cheddar.  Next time I will try a blend of gruyere and parmesan or perhaps a crumbly Lancashire, which has a nutty taste.  If you want to make this a vegan dish, you can try a soy cheese but I haven’t experimented with it for this recipe so I can’t guarantee the results.  If you try it, I’d love to know how it turns out!

Pick a bread with some substance – a whole grain nutty type or something with a little oomph!  You want your dish to have some personality and after all, cauliflower needs some help when it comes to standing out from the crowd!

Skinny Cheesy Coconut Caulifower

You must promise me not to put the dreaded Velveeta on here – that would be a crime!  It’s time everyone tossed those preservative-filled fake cheeses out of their fridges for good.  We can have a healthy cheese sauce with great taste and without the guilt.

I hope everyone is having fun during this holiday season.  Next I have quick and simple shrimp appetizer that you can make for your holiday parties.  Cheers!Skinny Cheesy Coconut Caulifower | simply fresh dinners

 

Skinny Cheesy Coconut Cauliflower
Author: Robyn
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 large cauliflower, cut into same size florets
  • 6 slices of whole wheat or 12 grain bread, tear into small pieces and let sit out overnight to dry out
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 4-6 sprigs of your favorite fresh herb
  • Cheese Sauce
  • 4 oz. mature white cheddar (any colour is fine)
  • 41/2 teaspoons gluten-free flour
  • 11/4 cups coconut milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • dash of salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 F
  2. Boil florets for 5 minutes before draining in and patting dry. Place in roasting pan with bread pieces and walnuts.
  3. Roast in oven for 15 minutes. Meanwhile make the cheese sauce.
  4. Whisk flour with 1/4 cup milk in a small bowl until smooth. Heat the remaining milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming. Add the flour mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce bubbles and thickens, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in Cheddar, paprika, cayenne and salt.
  5. Remove cauliflower from oven and pour cheese sauce over top. Return to oven for 20 minutes. Remove and serve, topping with more cheese and fresh herbs if desired.

 

16 Comments

  • Reply
    cheri
    December 18, 2014 at 8:13 am

    Hi Robyn, Good Morning to you! I love a good cheese sauce but don’t make that often, this looks fabulous. Love that you lightened this up.
    cheri recently posted…Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops with PestoMy Profile

  • Reply
    Debbie Harris
    December 18, 2014 at 11:44 am

    Good Morning!
    Congratulations to you on this fine looking easy and good for you dish!!
    I’m not a fan on cheese but other family members are, and its not all about me, so this will be a good dish to make.
    Can we really place the velveeta in with real cheeses!! Yikes!! I think we would all be afraid to really know what that is. 🙂
    Your lady post hid my comment again. 🙁
    I trust you are enjoying these festive days, Robyn?
    It has been a peaceful month for me and I have enjoyed it that way.
    I love to reflect on many things over the year at this time, and asking the Lord to show me where changes need to be made in my life.
    Wishing you a most blessed Christmas and joyous holiday season, dear friend.
    I have enjoyed getting to know you!
    Your ” Daffy” friend, Debbie

  • Reply
    Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
    December 18, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    That looks so delicious! Cauliflower cheese is my boyfriends favorite holiday dish– I think it’s very British! I have made several versions of this– but I pinning this one for this Christmas because it’s the best looking version I’ve seen!
    Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Quinoa Asparagus Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Milk Soup)My Profile

  • Reply
    Anita Rivera
    December 18, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    And good EVENING to you my top chef! I am late since I had to leave so early to school this morning, but your recipe here is luscious! I have roasted cauliflower before with olive oil, lots of garlic and parmesan, but this is really what our taste buds want: REAL CHEESE! I think this will be my vegetable of choice for Christmas. Cauliflower really lends itself to so many other flavors like the spices, but I hadn’t even thought of walnuts!

    How are you sweet one? Getting ready for the holiday? I have just one more day to go in for finals, to grade and then COME HOME and start celebrating. Wishing you a happy Friday! Anita

  • Reply
    Linda
    December 19, 2014 at 12:07 am

    Hi Robyn, it was great chatting with you. This dish is lovely. I love cauliflower with cheese. My husband would love it too. Merry Christmas my friend. Lots of love from W.W.

  • Reply
    Stephanie
    December 19, 2014 at 11:12 am

    Yum, yum, YUM!! Oh my friend, I MUST make this for Christmas day when my family and I have lunch with the in-laws. This looks soooo good!

    Thanks for sharing the very best recipes! Have I mentioned lately that you’re the best! Merry Christmas, dear one!
    Stephanie recently posted…Pink And Silver Christmas TeaMy Profile

  • Reply
    Suz
    December 19, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    Love cauliflower but not a fan of coconut. It looks delicious.

  • Reply
    Liz
    December 19, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Cauliflower cheese is simply the best! Thanks for lightening it up so it can be a regular instead of an “only on special occassions” dish.
    Liz recently posted…December in the kitchen – Raspberry streusel barsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Christin @ Blue Crab Martini
    December 21, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    Robyn I’ve been drooling over this post for days and just bought all the ingredients to make it for Christmas! I know my family will enjoy it tremendously. I’m replacing the walnuts with pecans (hopefully it still tastes ok). I’m allergic to walnuts, so this was the only option I could come up with. Can’t WAIT to make this!!
    Christin @ Blue Crab Martini recently posted…11 Weeks of Wonder #10- Top 10 DIY Gift Wrapping IdeasMy Profile

  • Reply
    Miz Helen
    December 21, 2014 at 9:13 pm

    What a great dish Robyn, it looks like it would have great flavor. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a very special Christmas week!
    Miz Helen
    Miz Helen recently posted…Whats For Dinner Next Week 12-21-14My Profile

  • Reply
    Bam's Kitchen
    December 22, 2014 at 5:35 am

    What a wonderful rich but healthy side dish. Well I could eat this as my main any day. I miss cauliflower as my boys are not too keen on it. They will eat it but it is not their favorite vegetable but hopefully with your delightful cheese sauce they will change their mind. Wishing you and your family a super holiday!!! Shared…
    Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Panettone French Toast with Buttery Maple Cointreau SyrupMy Profile

  • Reply
    Marla
    December 26, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    Hi Robyn,
    This sounds so simple and delicious. Perfect for a cold Winter’s day for a healthy hearty supper. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted Have a healthy happy New Years!
    Marla recently posted…“6 Tips For Healthy Holiday Eating!”My Profile

  • Reply
    Mary
    December 29, 2014 at 12:31 am

    Hi Robyn, I also dislike fake cheese! It would certainly ruin any dish. I love cauliflower, but I’ve never tried it roasted like this. Sometimes I make chicken divan, using broccoli and cheddar which I really love. I’m going to have to try this, it sounds so good. Thank you for all of your wonderful ideas.

  • Reply
    Christie
    January 2, 2015 at 8:21 am

    This looks amazing!! My mother used to make a broccoli & cauliflower cheese casserole for the holidays, but it didn’t look near as delicious as this one does; minus the broccoli, of course. I have to try this one next time. It looks fabulous decadent and since it’s skinny that makes it even better! Pinning!
    Christie recently posted…#FoodieFridays #27 – Ringing in a Healthy New YearMy Profile

  • Reply
    Mindy
    January 10, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    I love cauliflower and this looks amazing – can’t wait to check it out for myself. Oh to be one of your neighbors who might possibly get to taste test on occasion… : )
    Mindy recently posted…Giving Thanks FridayMy Profile

  • Reply
    #FoodieFridays #27 - Ringing in a Healthy New Year - A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
    December 13, 2015 at 6:58 pm

    […] and cheese and healthy? Yes please!  This Skinny Cheesy Coconut Cauliflower Casserole from Simply Fresh Dinner looks amazing!  I can imagine the creaminess of the cheese sauce with […]

  • Leave a Reply

    CommentLuv badge