Cauliflower Gratin

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon sunsalted butter , softened
• 4 slice swhite sandwich bread with crusts, each slice torn into quart ers
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• table salt
• 1 large head cauliflower (about 3 pound s), trimmed into 3/4-inch florets (see illustrations, below)
• 2 tablespoon sunsalted butter
• 1 medium shallot , minced (about 2 tablespoon s)
• 1 clove garlic , minced
• 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cup sheavy cream
• pinch fresh ground nutmeg
• pinch cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (1 ounce), plus 2 tablespoon s

Instructions

1. {'@type': 'HowToSection', 'name': 'FOR THE TOPPING:', 'itemListElement': [{'@type': 'HowToStep', 'text': 'Pulse bread, butter, salt, and pepper in food processor until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about ten 1 second pulses; set aside.'}]}
2. {'@type': 'HowToSection', 'name': 'FOR THE FILLING:', 'itemListElement': [{'@type': 'HowToStep', 'text': 'Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 450 degrees.
3. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven or stockpot over high heat.
4. Add 1 tablespoon salt and cauliflower; cook until outsides are tender but insides are still slightly crunchy, 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Drain cauliflower in colander and rinse under cold running tap water until no longer hot.
6. Leave cauliflower in colander to drain.'}, {'@type': 'HowToStep', 'text': 'Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat; when foam subsides, add shallot and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
7. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds; stir in flour until combined, about 1 minute.
8. Whisk in cream and bring to boil.
9. Stir in nutmeg, cayenne, 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper, thyme, and 1/2 cup cheese until incorporated.
10. Off heat, gently stir in cauliflower until evenly combined.
11. Transfer mixture to 11 by 7 inch (2 quart) gratin dish.
12. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons cheese evenly over surface, then sprinkle evenly with bread crumb topping.
13. Bake until golden brown and sauce is bubbling around edges, 10 to 12 minutes.
14. Serve immediately.'}]}