Let Frozen Be Your Go To, Save Time, Save Money, Keep Quality!!

Of course, fresh is best in most cases, and if you can afford it these days. Next best for your family is frozen for sure. If you shop the sales, you can get great bargains in your frozen food departments. In some cases, or so they say, frozen can be even better because it is picked and frozen right at its peak! Fresh on the other hand could have hung out for many days before it even reached your market, also, fresh is sometimes sprayed with something to keep it longer. We have all bought fresh vegetables and tossed some because we didn't get to them in time. Frozen on the other hand can be used in most recipes if simply defrosted overnight in fridge in a paper towel lined container and patted dry before using so as not to water down your dish. I have even in a pinch just run under cold water for a few minutes in a strainer, let sit a bit and patted dry. Simply put, heck let someone else do the work for you to save time.

All that being said, today I am sharing a recipe I love that is simple and uses a bag of frozen defrosted cauliflower florets. I do have another recipe on here using fresh cauliflower and cooking tips in that case. This recipe is also great with both cauliflower and broccoli florets.

Here is what I do:

Defrost in way of choice my frozen cauliflower and pat dry

Place in my prepared casserole dish, (lightly sprayed for me)

Make my topping: a basic white sauce tweaked

In a saucepan I melt 2 TBSP of butter

Add 2 TBSP of flour, 2 tsps. of freeze-dried shallots, or dried onion of choice

Turmeric and black pepper to taste, or spices of choice

Simmer for 2 minutes

Turn up heat and add 1 1/2 cups of milk of choice, 1/2 cups of shredded carrots and 1/3 cup of diced precooked bacon(optional) whisking until thickened

Last, I add 2/3 cup of shredded cheese or cheese of choice

Pour over my cauliflower, add another 1/3 cup of the cheese and bake (optional) (see note)

Note: this type of casserole is flexible on oven temp, it can bake along with something else that is at least 350 degrees up to 400 degrees, it is done when sides are bubbling and top is well set, therefore that will determine time

Everyone has their own white sauce recipe or should. You can certainly use your own and your own add ins. This is just to give you an idea. Grab yourself some frozen vegetables of choice on your next shopping trip. Save time, save money and create....

Be Safe, Have a great weekend!!