Happy Father's Day, One Lovely Blog Award, and Floating on a Sea Breeze and Cheesy Creamed Cauliflower with Garlic Bread Crumbs

Susie has left the building for a few days on a mini-vacation.  It was time to clear the cobwebs, visit the ocean, get reacquainted with my family and generally check out of my world for a few days.

Just before I left Lucy at lucysfriendlyfooods nominated me for The One Lovely Blog Award.  You have been so generous with including me in these honors that I wanted to acknowledge her and say that I will be sure to suggest some blogs for you to visit when I return and please, if you get a moment, stop by and say hello to Lucy.

I have a recipe to share but no pictures because my parents computer is as old as dirt and I’m afraid if I load the software for the camera it will raise the white flag and quit. 

Today we are celebrating the dads in our family, so I’ll be manipulating the pans this morning with some eggs benedict and tonight we’re having barbecued chicken with creamed cauliflower which is yummy. 

Tomorrow we head out for the sea and I truly cannot wait. 

Give this a try and see what you think. 

Have a great Father’s Day!

Creamed Cauliflower with Garlic Crumbs

2 heads cauliflower, coarsely chopped
1 Tbsp. butter
2 cups leek, chopped (approx. 2 large)
1 cup green onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced and divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups 2% milk
1 1/2 cups half and half
3/4 tsp. salt
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Melt butter in large non-stick skillet over med. heat. Add leek, green onion and garlic. Cook 7-8 mins. or until tender, stirring often. Whisk level 1/2 cup of flour into milk and half and half mixture. Add to pan.

Bring to a simmer and whisk constantly until mixture begins to thicken 2-3 mins. Remove from heat.

Stir in cheese, salt, pepper and red pepper. Pour into 13x9x2″ casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over top.

Cook for 30-35 mins. until browned and bubbly. Serves 8

Garlic Bread Crumbs

6 slices of artisan bread slightly stale
1 tsp. butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
2 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped

Place bread in food processor and pulse until you have fine crumbs.

Melt butter in skillet over med. heat. Add garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat.

In mixing bowl combine bread crumbs with remaining ingredients. Drizzle garlic butter over top and toss to blend. Set aside.