Baking with Olivia and Caroline

No, this isn’t an April Fool’s Day joke – we’re talking about frosted cauliflower! Also affectionately known as “the brain!” 

Frosted cauliflower is as simple as it is delicious. With a tangy mustard-mayo base and a generous layer of cheddar cheese, every bite is a burst of flavor and comfort.  

With just a handful of ingredients – mustard (we swear by Gulden’s Spicy Brown, but feel free to choose your favorite), real mayo (trust us on this), cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper – you’re set for a win.

Please, do yourself a favor and grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese just doesn’t melt the same way, and the flavor truly makes a difference.

When I made this for my kids, they would battle it out for the cheesy, mayo/mustard exterior. Caroline, the smarty pants that she is, now makes hers in a casserole dish by cutting the cauliflower into florets and tossing them in the mustard-mayo mixture, so every morsel is fully coated and topped with cheese. I, however, remain a traditionalist and stick to making the whole “brain” as one glorious piece!

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower
3 tbs spicy brown mustard
½ cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

 Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Remove the leafy greens from the bottom of the cauliflower and cut the stem if necessary so it is level and the head can sit upright. Wash the cauliflower and place it stem side down in a large pot. Cover it with water and boil for about 7-10 minutes. (Alternatively, you can steam it in a steamer basket for 12-15 minutes). 

To check for doneness, insert a skewer. There should still be some resistance; you don’t want your cauliflower to be mushy. Carefully remove it from the pot and place in a colander to drain. Once the liquid has drained, place the cauliflower in a round pie dish or other oven-safe baking dish sprayed with cooking spray, stem side down. 

Sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Mix the mayo and mustard together in a small bowl, and smother the entire head of cauliflower with the mayo-mustard mixture as if you were frosting a cake. Cover with the grated cheese, making sure to cover the entire head of cauliflower. 

Bake in a 350 degree oven until the cheese is fully melted, another 7-10 minutes.

Serve this frosted cauliflower alongside your favorite protein or dig in as a stand-alone treat. It’s the perfect dish for any occasion – ideal for a casual dinner or when you’re hosting a crowd. It’s delicious and will spark some interesting conversation!

As always, enjoy! •

Olivia and Caroline are enthusiastic foodies and bakers who are constantly in the kitchen, as well as explorers who create their own adventures in our area – and did we mention they are mother and daughter? Follow Olivia on Instagram to see her many creations at @oliviawvalentine.