Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Cheesy Crumb Topping

Cauliflower is a vegetable that doesn’t seem to get much press. White, bland, boring…. these may be words that come to mind. Well, think again!

Sure, when you boil cauliflower it doesn’t have much flavor, which actually makes it the perfect vehicle for whatever flavors you want to add to it.

However, when you roast cauliflower it takes on a delicious nutty flavor. My very favorite way to prepare it is to just cut off all the little flowerettes into bite size pieces (the littlest pieces are my favorite), and toss them in some olive oil, with a little salt and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet and pop it in a 350 degree oven for about 35 minutes or until the cauliflower is lightly golden. It’s so yummy ~ I can eat the whole cauliflower myself, seriously!

The recipe I’m sharing with you today is another one of my favorite ways to prepare cauliflower and it makes a really nice presentation if you’re having guests over. I like to use a baking dish that can go from oven to table. This cauliflower is delicate and, in my experience, usually breaks if you try to move it to a serving dish.

This recipe serves 4.

INGREDIENTS
1 whole Cauliflower
1 – 8 oz. container Sour Cream (or plain Yogurt)
1 to 2 tsp granulated Garlic (more or less to taste)
1 tsp Black Pepper
1/3 cup Bread Crumbs
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese

METHOD
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Wash cauliflower and remove bottom green leaves.
Place cauliflower in baking dish and roast for about 35 minutes, or until tender.
I test it for doneness by gently inserting a steak knife into the middle.
While the cauliflower is roasting you can make the topping.
In a small bowl mix together the granulated garlic, black pepper, bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
When cauliflower is done roasting, remove baking dish from oven and cover cauliflower with an even layer of sour cream.
Then top the sour cream with an even layer of the parmesan bread crumb mixture.
Place back in the oven on broil to brown the crumbs.
Keep the oven door open and keep your eyes on the cauliflower, as it can burn very easily.
When lightly golden, remove from oven.
Enjoy!