I saw some Cauliflower Melts on Epicurious the other day that looked so melty that I had to make them. This is the time of year when anything with melted cheese (or hello, chocolate) catches our eye. We tramp in from the cold, stomping our feet to get the snow off, our bodies shivering as we peel off layers of wet clothes. And then we see melty cheese, hot from the oven, blanketing a little morsel underneath. We hardly want to take the time to slip into dry clothes before sitting down to eat.
I made a few changes, because I can't help it, but I'm sure the original recipe is as good as it looks. I added some apples sautéed in butter, added some pepitas and garlic to the raisins, and smeared a little prepared horseradish on the bread for a little contrasting bite. Oh, and I made them into little two to three bite appetizers.
Before the cheddar is added.
It took four tries, people, to get this where it could be served as a party appetizer that guests could eat standing up with nothing more than a cocktail napkin. First they were too crispy and broke into pieces with the first bite. Then the cauliflower florets were too high to get one's mouth around unless it's Don Knotts' mouth. And one version experimented with a mayonnaise based spread that frankly just didn't taste great. So I've got some tips.
Cook's Tips:
For party appetizers, only toast one side of the bread. If both sides are toasted, the appetizer has a tendency to crumple with the first bite.
Adjust the amount of horseradish spread to suit you, but you'll need ¼ teaspoon just to be aware that it's there. If you prefer mayo, have at it.
The cauliflower must go on last, just before the cheese. Otherwise the raisin mixture will roll right off the little bite onto the baking sheet.
Divide each larger floret into 3 slabs, slicing them through the stalks. The stalk holds it together. Shave off the tops of the florets so that they don't exceed ¾" in height.
Use thin sheets of cheese. Grated cheese has a very difficult time staying on, and will only cover the cauliflower very unevenly. I buy them them pre sliced and interleaved with paper, and cut each square into 4 pieces. Each quarter piece is draped over a cauliflower floret.
Wimpy Tips:
If you must, then I have one word for you: bacon. Crumble up a couple slices of crispy bacon with the raisin mixture and follow the remaining instructions as written.
Cauliflower Apple Cheddar Melts
Ingredients
- 1 baguette of French bread
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cauliflower
- Kosher salt
- Ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 apples I recommend Pink Lady (or Lady, Honey Crisp, or Fuji)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ⅓ cup golden raisins
- 3 tablespoon pepitas
- Prepared horseradish
- Cheddar cheese slices cut into 4 pieces
Instructions
- Turn on the broiler and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the baguette into ¾" slices. I slice them slightly on a diagonal to make them slightly larger and more attractive. Light brush the tops with olive oil, and broil until toasted. They should be well-toasted since you're only toasting one side. Set aside.
- Heat the oven to 350˚F and line a second baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove each large floret from the stalk, and carefully slice into 3 small slabs through the stalk of the floret. Two of the slabs, when laid flat on a table, have the rounded tops of the floret. Shave it off to flatten, making the cauliflower pieces equal thicknesses of roughly ½ inch. Gently rub them all over with olive oil, and lay them on the second baking sheet. Lightly dust them with salt and pepper, and roast for 15 minutes. Flip them over and roast until tender, about another 10 minutes.
- Melt the butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Core the apples and thinly slice, leaving on the skin. Salute the apple slices until tender, about three minutes. Remove from the pan and saute the garlic, raisins and pepitas until warm and fragrant, about two minutes.
- To assemble:
- Smear at least ¼ teaspoon Prepared Horseradish on the untoasted side of each of the bread slices. Lay 2 apple slices on top, arrange 1 teaspoon of the raisin mixture on top of the apples, and anchor with a floret piece of cauliflower. Drape a piece of cheese over the top of each floret. Slide into the oven (still at 350˚F) and bake until the cheese has melted, about 3 - 4 minutes.
- Serve warm.
David @ CookingChat
what a tasty & healthy app idea! OK, there is the cheddar but eating apples and cauliflower allows for a bit of cheese I'd say!
Renee@Renee's Kitchen Adventures
Wow, so easy and good for you too!! I really love cauliflower!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors
Oh I have to try this ASAP!! I'm loving this combo of flavors and how simple it is 🙂
Liz
Cheesy toasts always get my approval! These look fabulous!
The Ninja Baker
Mmmm. You've got a bit of savory and a bit of sweet; a little crunch and a snip of soft. Brilliant, Susan! Bravo too for going 4 rounds to achieve perfection.
Suzanne
Wonderful appetizer or sandwich or main. I lthink it would be good for any meal. Saw it on instragram today, it looks incredible. Happy Holidays Susan.
Renee
Great tips, especially the one about only toasting one side. I'll keep that in mind next time I make crostini to be topped with something. And you got my attention with cauliflower - I love it and don't see it often enough with starters.
Sarah Reid
LOVE cauliflower, its a shame its so expensive right now!
Monica
Wow - these look amazing. I love apple and cauliflower but have never tried them together. This is just the vegetarian offering I need for the family gathering.
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
I love the flavors you combined to make these! Such a great starter or light lunch!
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook
I would definitely try these! Thanks for sharing your tips, too.