MINI CHEESY CAULIFLOWER BITES

Mini Cheesy Cauliflower Bites

Makes about 3 dozen mini bites

Ingredients 

• 12 ounce Bag of Frozen Cauliflower Florets, defrosted

• 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• ½ Tsp Salt

• ¼ Tsp Black Pepper  

• 2 Tbsp Butter  

• 2 Tbsp Flour

• 1 ½ c Whole Milk

• 6 slices White American Cheese

• 2 c Cheddar Cheese, shredded

• 2 ounces Cream Cheese

• ½ Tsp Sugar

• 1 Egg, beaten

• 2 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped as garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

1. Add the Caulflower florets to a rimmed sheet pan covered in foil and sprayed with cooking spray.  Drizzle the Olive oil over the florets and sprinkle with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper, mix and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside.

2. While the cauliflower florets are baking, melt the butter in a medium size saucepan over medium low heat. Once melted add the flour and stir for about 1-2 minutes.

3. Slowly add the milk and sugar to the pan and bring to a simmer. Add the slices of american cheese one at a time as each piece melts.

4. Add 1 ½ c of the shredded cheddar cheese and mix until melted. Then add the cream cheese and stir until fully incorporated.  Salt and pepper to taste. Turn off heat and set aside.

5. In a medium size bowl, add the florets and cheese sauce and mix.  Fold in the beaten egg.

6. Spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick spray.  Add the cauliflower mixture to each of the mini muffin tins then sprinkle with the remaining cheese.   

7. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is golden. Let them rest for 5 minutes before taking them out of the muffin tins.  Serve on a pretty platter and garnish with parsley.

You could fancy this up and add some cooked lobster meat. Fold it in at step 5.