Curried Cauliflower & Cheese Filo Pie by Ottolenghi
Side Notes
Cost of non-staples: $12
Serves: 6 as a main / 8 as a side
Ingredients
1 large cauliflower
2 tsp curry powder
3 tbsp olive oil
100g butter
75g plain flour
675ml full cream milk
1 1/2 tbsp english mustard
2 cloves garlic
150g aged cheddar
6 sheets filo pastry
salt & black pepper
1 tbsp parsley leaves
1 tsp lemon rind
My Pantry Staples
curry powder
olive oil
butter
plain flour
milk
garlic
salt & pepper
lemon
The Method
Heat oven to 180°C and cut the cauliflower into bite site pieces. Chop up the stalk and add all the pieces to a roasting tray. Season with salt and pepper and 1 1/2 tbsp of the olive oil along with the curry powder. Mix everything together and bake for 20 mins.
Line a springform cake pan (23-24cm) with baking paper. Make the bechamel sauce.
Melt half the butter in a saucepan. Add the flour and cook for 2 mins. Slowly add in the milk, about 100ml at a time, allowing it to absorb before adding more.
Once all the milk is added to the saucepan, continue cook over medium low heat for 5-7 mins, whisking occasionally. Meanwhile, melt the other half of the butter in a separate small saucepan.
Take the bechamel off the heat and add the mustard, garlic, cheese and half a tsp of salt. Whisk until smooth and cheese has melted. Combine the rest of the olive oil with the melted butter.
Prepare the filo sheets. Working one sheet at a time, brush the exposed side of the filo with the butter and oil mix and drop into the cake pan, draping the edges over and out the sides. Repeat with each sheet, rotating slightly each time.
Spoon half the bechamel sauce into the filo lined cake pan. Add in the roasted cauliflower pieces, followed by the remaining bechamel. Fold the filo pastry edges back over into the middle, leaving the centre exposed.
Bake in the oven reduced to 170°C for 30 mins. With the help of a tea towel, remove the outer circle of the springform pan and allow the pie to cook for a further 20-25 mins until everything is golden. Leave to rest for 15 mins before serving.
TIP: This pie is delicious and cheesy. You may want to serve alongside a fresh green salad or veg.
