Yummy Cauliflower!

Those are two words I thought I'd never say together.  So, I know that all of you have been waiting in breathless anticipation for the results of the Great Cauliflower Experiment.  Now, without further ado, I give you (drum-roll please):  Cauliflower  Macaroni and Cheese!

I found this recipe on another food blog, Food Blogga, under the heading:  "This Macaroni and Cheese Tastes Like Doritos."  Do you understand why I decided to give it a looksee?

• First, boil one head of orange (or white, I suppose) cauliflower for about 10 minutes.

• Next, puree the cauliflower with about 1/2 cup of milk in a blender until you have what looks like an Orange Julius (but smells like cooked cauliflower).  

• In the meantime, make a bechamel sauce.  If you don't know how to do this, it's very easy and it makes your life in the kitchen so much better, so I recommend that you look it up and get going.  
• Once you have your bechamel sauce, add the pureed cauliflower to it.  Then add cheese (as much and any kind that you like).  I also added Greek yogurt (big surprise there!) because I think that the tang is very good at counterbalancing some of the cauliflower taste.  Season liberally with salt and pepper.  The recipe on Food Blogga called for fajita seasoning, I used Penzey's Salsa Seasoning because that's what I had available.  

• By now you should also have cooked between 1/2 and a pound of dry pasta until it's al dente.  Combine the pasta with the cheese/cauliflower sauce and place the mixture in a prepared dish.  Top with breadcrumbs and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

• The verdict from a cauliflower hater?  I liked it.  I could taste the cauliflower but I think that's because I knew it was there.  If I hadn't made it I would know that it tasted "different" but I think I'd still like it.  It will never replace the Barefoot Contessa's mac & cheese but it's nice for a change.  It's also much lighter so you don't feel as bloated after you eat it (overshare?).