I met a wonderful couple the other day that I will never forget. He told me he was 90 and she didn’t divulge her age — and both of them looked wonderful and happy. They had been married for decades. They both love to cook and he was a former chef. We talked for a long time about food and cooking and how our easiest recipes are often our best. And as we chatted, I was able to glean a recipe that sounded a bit strange but turned out to be fabulous.
It is a great side dish for just about any meal and it only uses three ingredients. I call it Cauliflower Casserole, and even if you aren’t a big fan of vegetables, this dish is sure to please. It is tangy and cheesy and full of crunchy texture.
Thank you to my new friends for the great new addition to my recipe file!
*****
Belle’s Cauliflower Casserole
1 head cauliflower, stem and leaves removed, and cut into bite-size pieces
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Place cauliflower in a large pot of boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes. Drain. Mix together the mayonnaise and cheese in a large bowl. Add the cauliflower and toss to coat. Place in a lightly sprayed 9-by-13-inch baking dish and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.
Brenda Stanley is the mother of five children, including two sets of twins, and a grandmother of three. She is a cookbook author and novelist. Her website is at talesofthedinnerbelle.com.