Ingredients
1 large cauliflower, leaves and stem
12 slices meaty bacon (for an entrée)
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. flour
1 cup pilsner beer
1 tbsp. grainy Dijon mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 to 3 dashes Tabasco hot sauce
1 bag (12 oz.) shredded sharp
Olive oil cooking spray
Salt and pepper
8 slices beef steak tomato (for an
Finely chopped fresh chives, for serving
Preparation
Step 1
For an entrée, preheat the oven to 400°.
Step 2
In a deep pot, add 2 inches of water and the cauliflower. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook until just tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain and let cool for 5 minutes. For an entrée, cut from top to bottom into 4 thick steaks [above]; cut the cauliflower from the top through the core. If a few florets break away, just reassemble them on the plate. For a starter, leave whole.
Step 3
Meanwhile, for an entrée, arrange the bacon on a broiler pan and bake until crisp, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven.
Step 4
Switch on the broiler to high. In a sauce pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, then the beer; reduce a bit, about 1 minute. Stir in the Dijon, Worcestershire, and hot sauce. Add the cheese, a handful at a time, stirring between additions. Remove from heat.
Step 5
For an entrée, arrange the cauliflower steaks on a baking sheet, spray with cooking spray, and season with salt and pepper. Broil until browned, about 5 minutes. Place the cauliflower on plates. Top with the tomato slices, crisscrossed bacon slices, cheese sauce, and chives.
Step 6
For a starter, slather the cauliflower with the cheese sauce; broil to brown. Top with chives and cut into wedges.
