Bacon Sriracha Cauliflower Gratin

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower
4 slices cooked bacon, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
4 TBSP unsalted butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1.5 cups milk or half and half (room temp.)
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/3 cup grated Swiss cheese
1 Tablespoon Sriracha


TOP WITH:

1/4 cup grated Swiss cheese
a hearty drizzle or two of Sriracha

8-10 crushed buttery crackers or bread crumbs

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cook the cauliflower florets in a pot of boiling water with a pinch of salt for about 5-7 minutes until tender.

Drain and toss cauliflower into the ice bath to stop the cooking.  

While it chills, start your sauce.

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat and add your minced garlic.

Add flour, slowly, whisking constantly to create your roux.

Pour warmed or room temperature milk/cream into the butter mixture and whisk constantly until thickened.

Remove from heat and add salt nutmeg, and 1/3 cup grated Swiss cheese. Stir until the cheese melts into the sauce and add your Sriracha.

Remove your cauliflower from the ice bath with a slotted spoon and move it to a baking dish.

Pour the sauce over your cauliflower and toss to coat.

Top with additional cheese, bacon, and crushed crackers or bread crumbs.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.


Top with an additional drizzle of sriracha and dive in!