A simple and easy broccoli and cauliflower bake (gratin) done in 30 minutes.

This simple cauliflower and broccoli gratin falls in the category of la Cuisine de Menage, recipes that the French make at home. This recipe uses an almond custard poured over the vegetables and covered with cheese. With just 15 minutes in the oven, it’s deliciously quick and easy.

INGREDIENTS

• 300 g (10.5 ozs) cauliflower florets

• 300 g (10.5 ozs) broccoli florets

• 2 eggs  

• 250 ml (0.4 pt) cream

• 3 tbsp almond meal

• 2 pinches of nutmeg

• Salt and pepper to season

• 50 - 100 g (1.7 - 3.5 ozs) grated cheese

PROCEDURE

1. Bring 2 pots of salted water to the boil. Cook the cauliflower florets in one for 10 minutes and the broccoli florets in the other for 5 minutes.

2. Preheat a fan forced oven to 210C (410F).

3. Whisk the cream, eggs, nutmeg and the almond meal together in a bowl and add seasoning.

4. Butter the inside of a baking dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drain the vegetables and layer them in the dish, alternating with a layer of cauliflower and broccoli until the dish is full.

5. Pour the custard over the vegetables and cover with cheese. 

6. Cook the dish in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes and finish for 2 minutes under the broiler (griller) to crisp the cheese.

"Stephane, it's important for us to learn more home quick French dishes. Keep it going sir!"

Khashayar Mahmoudi

"Your encouragement to experiment is empowering. I won't be using almond meal, but I don't mind whipping up a white sauce and flavoring it with whatever whimsy puts in my hand. I do need to expand into adding eggs though.  Brocs and caulifower are staple favorites in my home."

Sue Montgomery