Name: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Prep time: 13 min
Cook time: 31 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 large head cauliflower (, cut into bite-size florets (about 2.5 pounds)); 1 cup panko ((GF if preferred)); 2 tbsp vegan butter (, melted (+ more for greasing dish)); 1 cup cashews (raw, soaked in very hot water); 2 cups soy milk (unsweetened); 1 cup vegetable broth (, low sodium); 0.25 cup lemon juice (fresh); 0.25 cup tapioca (flour/starch); 0.25 cup nutritional yeast; 2 tbsp dijon (mustard); 1 tsp granulated garlic (, (+ a pinch for breadcrumbs)); 1 tsp onion powder; 1.25 tsp sea salt (, more to taste); null null parsley (fresh-cut); null null chilli flakes (crushed red pepper)

Instructions

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1

Preheat oven to 400° F (200° C). Lightly grease a 3-quart casserole dish.
2

Combine the vegan butter (2 tbsp), panko (1 cup), and a pinch of granulated garlic (1 tsp) in a small bowl. Set aside.
3

To soak raw cashews (1 cup), boil [water] in a small pot. Remove from heat, add raw cashews (1 cup) and cover for 15-20 minutes, until softened.
4

While the [cashews] are soaking, steam the head cauliflower (1 large). Place water (1 inch) into a medium/large pot that will fit a steamer basket. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Place [cauliflower florets] into the basket. Cover and steam for 7-10 minutes, until just tender. Uncover and remove from heat.
5

Drain and rinse [cashews] (discard soaking water). Place all cheese sauce ingredients (raw cashews (1 cup), unsweetened soy milk (2 cups), vegetable broth (1 cup), fresh lemon juice (0.25 cup), tapioca (0.25 cup), nutritional yeast (0.25 cup), dijon (2 tbsp), granulated garlic (1 tsp), onion powder (1 tsp), sea salt (1.25 tsp)) in a high-speed blender. Blend until [cashews] have completely broken down and the sauce is smooth, about 1-2 minutes.
6

Pour cheese sauce into a medium skillet/pot over medium heat. Cook for 4-5 minutes until it thickens up a lot and becomes slightly stretchy. Stir often to prevent burning. If sauce is too thick for your taste, add a little [soy milk] or [vegetable broth] to thin it out. Taste for seasoning, and add more if needed.
7

Pour 0.5 the cheese sauce on the bottom of the greased casserole dish. Add the [cauliflower] on top in one layer. Pour the remaining cheese sauce on top of the [cauliflower]. Sprinkle with prepared [panko] and cover with foil. Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until cheese is hot and bubbly.
8

Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until [panko] are light golden brown. Remove from oven. Optionally sprinkle with [fresh-cut parsley] and [crushed red pepper flakes]. Enjoy!