Broccoli-Cauliflower Mornay

These lightly-steamed vegetables coated in a white Cheddar Mornay sauce and baked under a crusty topping is an old standby of my good friend Andrew, and it's a wonderful way to use up broccoli or cauliflower that's gone a little past the peak of freshness. The use of white Cheddar cheese and whole wheat flour as well as the addition of lemon juice are slight departures from the classic Mornay sauce, but they definitely enhance the flavors of the vegetables — and the browned Parmesan-cornmeal-nut topping is worth licking off the plate.

This recipe makes quite a lot, but it can easily be halved using only the broccoli or the cauliflower.

Broccoli-Cauliflower Mornay

Recipe by Lisa Turner
Published on October 19, 2007

Classic dish of lightly steamed vegetables baked in a Cheddar Mornay sauce and topped with a crunchy golden cornmeal and nut topping

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Vegetables:

1 large head broccoli, stems pared and sliced and head cut into florets
1 large head cauliflower, stems pared and sliced and head cut into florets
1 large potato, chopped
2 carrots, sliced

Cheddar Mornay sauce:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
10 tablespoons whole wheat flour
4 cups whole milk
2 cups fresh grated white Cheddar cheese
2 teaspoons sea salt
fresh ground black pepper
juice of 2 large lemons (6 tablespoons)

Topping:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup chopped cashews, almonds or pine nuts
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Steam the vegetables in batches until just tender (about 7 minutes for the broccoli and cauliflower, about 9 minutes for the potatoes and carrots). Drain each batch and place in a large baking or casserole dish. Mix the vegetables once they're finished.
Preheat an oven to 350°. Meanwhile, prepare the Mornay sauce by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour. Gradually add the milk, stirring with a whisk until the sauce thickens. Add the Cheddar cheese and stir until it melts. Season with salt, black pepper and lemon juice. Pour over the vegetables.
To prepare the topping, melt the butter in another saucepan and stir in the cormeal, chopped nuts and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the topping over the vegetables and bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until heated through and the topping is golden brown.
Serve hot or at room temperature.

Makes 8 to 12 servings