Adapted from a recipe found on thepioneerwoman.com - Serves 8
1 head Broccoli
1 head Romanesco
6 TB Butter
1 Medium Onion, diced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1/4 cup Flour
2 1/2 cups Vegetable Cooking Water
4 oz Cream Cheese, softened or Creme Fraiche
1/2 tsp Eatwell Farm Smoked Chili Salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground Pepper
1/2 tsp Paprika
1 1/2 cup Grated Jack or Sharp Cheddar
1 TB Butter
1/2 cup cubed old bread (to make croutons) or 1/3 cup Breadcrumbs (I used homemade croutons and I think it was nicer than breadcrumbs)
Preheat oven to 375 F. Cut the broccoli and romanesco into bite-sized florets. If there are any thick stems peel them and chop them up and use them. Steam the broccoli for about 3 to 4 minutes. Put the Romanesco in a pot with enough salted water to cover all of the florets and bring to a simmer. Cook until just barely tender. It takes longer to cook than broccoli and by simmering it you can use the cooking water for the sauce. Save the romanesco cooking water. Set the broccoli and romanesco aside. In a large skillet, melt the 6 TB of butter and sauté the onion and garlic until the onion starts to turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the top, whisk to combine, and cook on medium low heat until a very pale golden color. Add the warm romanesco cooking water, (alternatively you can also use Eatwell Farm Chicken Stock or a good vegetable stock) whisking constantly, then cook until the sauce thickens. Reduce the heat to low and add the chili salt, paprika, pepper, and the creme fraiche or softened cream cheese. Stir well and cook until the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings. If you are using breadcrumbs, put them into a small bowl and stir in the melted butter. Or if you are making croutons, melt butter in a skillet and toss the cubed bread in and cook until nice and crunchy. In a smaller casserole dish layer half the veg, then pour on half the cream sauce, and sprinkle with half the cheese. Repeat with another layer of veg, sauce and cheese. Top with the breadcrumbs or croutons and if you like grate some parmesan cheese on top. Bake at 375 F for 25 to 30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.