Cauliflower with Nuts, Baked

Break the cauliflower into small florets, making sure they are uniform so they cook evenly. Once you have finished cutting the cauliflower, wash it well under a stream of cold water, then let it sit in cold water for about 5 minutes. This step helps remove impurities and keeps a crunchy texture. After draining the cauliflower, prepare a larger pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. When the water starts to boil, carefully add the cauliflower florets and cover the pot. Let the cauliflower simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes, just enough to soften slightly but remain firm. After this stage, drain the cauliflower well so that no excess water remains.

In a heatproof dish, grease the bottom with butter to prevent sticking. Arrange the cauliflower florets in an even layer and season with salt and pepper for a pleasant taste. In a separate pan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for about a minute, stirring continuously, being careful not to burn it, as garlic becomes bitter if overcooked.

Once the garlic is golden, add the flour and mix well to form a paste. Then, slowly pour in the milk, continuing to stir so that no lumps form. Let the sauce simmer on low heat, stirring constantly, until you achieve a creamy consistency, similar to that of sour cream. Once the sauce is ready, remove it from heat and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. Then, add the grated Parmesan, mixing well until the cheese completely melts.

Pour the resulting sauce over the cauliflower arranged in the heatproof dish, ensuring that each cauliflower floret is well covered. On top, sprinkle evenly with ground nuts to add a crunchy texture and delicious flavor. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature and place the dish with cauliflower inside. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the nuts on top become nicely golden and crunchy. This dish can be served hot or cold, making it a perfect choice as a side dish or as a vegetarian main course. Enjoy this delicious cauliflower with nuts and be impressed by its flavors!