Isn’t nature marvellous. I can’t believe that I grew this bee-eautiful purple-flowered cauli from one very tiny seed. It looks a bit misty here, because it’s covered in fog. They weather has definitely turned here in Shropshire.
I was so excited when I first spotted it a couple of days ago. I’ve been nurturing the cauliflowers for a long time, feeding them liquid seaweed feed among other things. The seeds were sown in spring, then planted out in early summer in my new plot behind the polytunnel.
It was hard going too, clearing the ground for them. It had not been cultivated for several seasons and was choked with dandelions of epic proportions, and masses of creeping buttercups. The soil was heavy and claggy too. It seemed most unpromising, although I know that brassicas are fairly tolerant of these kind of conditions. For one thing, they like to be solidly rooted. In fact I’ve learned that caulis won’t flower properly if they are not well anchored from the start.
Once I’d planted out the young plants, (along with a handful each of Carbon Gold fertilzer, and worm casts, and an encircling of lime), I had to make sure they were well defended with a covering of mesh. This to stem the pigeon decimation that generally goes on at the allotment. The rotters line up on the overhead electricity cables and watch what we humans are up to, and plan their raids for when we’re not there.
Anyhow, they didn’t get this cauli, and we did. I steamed it, and then made a quick sauce with creme fraiche. Here’s what I did.
Really Amazingly Quick Cauliflower Cheese
- Break the cauliflower into florets and steam for a few minutes.
- Drain, reserving a cup of the steaming water in case you might need it.
- Melt a small piece of butter in the now empty pan.
- Add some chopped garlic and/or sliced onion. Cook until soft and translucent.
- On a moderate heat, stir in a small tub of creme fraiche. Stir it until it warms through. If it seems too thick, add a little of the reserved vegetable water, say a tablespoon at a time.
- Season, and add any fresh chopped herbs of choice.
- Stir in a couple of handfuls of grated hard cheese. I use pandano.
- Then toss the cauliflower in the sauce and serve.
- Any other quickly steamed vegetables can be included in this – peas, carrot sticks, chopped kale, chard, leeks, celery. Whatever appeals. Good served with a jacket potato, or Italian black rice.
So here you have MY flower of the day, as inspired by Cee’s Flower of the Day. I thought maybe we should give vegetables a look-in on the floral display front. Mind you, I don’t know what Cee will think. Aw, she’ll love it.
copyright 2015 Tish Farrell
Tish Farrell 
She will, and I’m on my way to yours for tea 🙂 🙂 Does it taste any different for being purple, Tish?
No not really. It’s very crunchy though.
too beautiful to be eaten
Well I did feel a bit guilty about cutting it up 🙂
Yes, isn’t Mother Nature positively amazing…..beautiful cauliflower, and cauliflower cheese is one of my all time favourite dishes…will definitely try your recipe. Thank you Janet:)
Bon appetit, Janet!
Beautiful! I have never seen purple cauliflower before. Thanks for the recipe, Tish!
Hello Amy. I got the seed from people who specialise in heritage seeds, so until I’d grown it, I’d never seen it either. Happy cooking.
I used to grow these on my allotment and like you I felt hugely impressed that a seed could produce something so amazingly versatile. I’m trying your recipe ASAP x
Re recipe – Oh good for you – hope you enjoy it 🙂
It sounded like something my wife and daughter would love. Thanks for sharing x
It’s stunning to look at but I won’t fight you to eat it though!
I’ll have your portion 😀
Not a cauliflower fan, Gilly?
I’m afraid not, spinach is about it for me and greens 🙂
Spinach is good. But you’ll have to eat lots and lots of it – to make up for not eating your cauliflower.
What a beauty! I love cauliflower and cheese sauce, shall have to give your recipe a go.
I’m sending you Gilly’s portion to be going on with 🙂
Oh, yummy!
🙂
“Claggy.” That’s good. Jacques Pepin has a nice curried cauliflower soup I enjoy making this time of year, basically just onions, cauliflower, the spice, some chicken stock and milk, salt and pepper….mmmm….we’ve been enjoying take-away Indian ready-made meals here in Scotland. Couldn’t make it for as cheap, three pounds for two meals! Nice photo and caption. Bye for now, – Bill
That sounds an excellent soup, Bill. I shall head for M.Pepin. Indian take-aways in Scotland – you are clearly getting into the British way of food!
Just another amazing Mother Nature ‘s myracle!
This one on the photo , is particularly fresh and dewy…..
Though I adore cooked cauliflowers I don’t know if I’d dare to eat it……
Perfect caption!
I did feel a bit sorry to eat it. When I told other half we were having it for supper, he said, ‘it looks more like a blog post to me.’
Yum. 🙂
🙂
That is one gorgeous looking cauli!
Alison
It’s one of my best ever 🙂
I used to plant these as ornamentals. Gorgeous.
I’d forgotten the ornamental versions. They must be related.
How beautiful!!! 😀
Oh wow! 🙂
🙂