Cauliflower cheese with parmesan crust, perfect mash and ice cream sundae

It has been a stressful day - woke up to a beautiful day, and then Dottie, the Jack Russell. one of our regular walking companions got lost for about 2 and a half hours on the common.  She was found by her owner, in more or less the spot she got lost, despite best searching of several people and dogs.

My husband is very over tired and has now become poorly with mouth ulcers, sinusitis and head aches as he has been burning the candle both ends and melting it in the middle.  He has cancelled his plans to go out tonight and the animals have all attempted therapy in their own way.  The Cat walked along him as he lay on the sofa and settled down under his face.  The Junior Dog attempted to lick him all over and nipped him as he didn't respond, the Senior Dog was a help.

So, comfort food is required.  The remains of yesterday's pie, home made cauliflower cheese and mash!

Mash

Peel and dice Maris Piper potatoes and put in cold salted water, bring to boil and simmer until v soft (10 mins or so).  Take off heat, drain and add a thick slice of butter, salt and freshly ground pepper and cover with a clean tea towel for 5 mins.  Slosh in the highest fat milk in the fridge (I usually have cream of some sort needing using up) and then beat using your Kenwood beaters.  This produces beautifully fluffy, creamy lump free potatoes every time.

Cauliflower| Cheese with Parmesan Crust

Remove leaves and debris from cauliflower, break into large florets and drop into boiling, salted water.  Simmer until tender (5 mins or so).  Once tender, drain and tip into oven proof dish.

Make a cheese sauce, using a roux.  I use 1 oz flour, 1 tsp hot mustard powder,  1.5 oz butter and 15 fl oz milk.  Add the milk in little by little and whisk if you are at all fearful of lumps.  Bring slowly to boil, and once thickened then add 4 oz grated vintage cheddar and stir until melted and mixed,

Pour over the cauliflower, then sprinkle over frozen white breadcrumbs - no need to defrost.  (Every left over loaf, cut off the crusts and whizz in food processor and freeze in large zip lock bags until needed).

Mix in grated parmesan cheese, more grated cheddar and sprinkle over 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper.

Pop this into the baking oven on 2nd set of runners for 30 mins until golden brown.

After all this, pudding is going to be easy.  Excellent quality vanilla ice cream, mango chunks, and raspberry coulis served in a large goblet.