LOADED CAULIFLOWER RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Divide cauliflower between two large baking sheets. Drizzle each baking sheet with a tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and scatter 4 thyme sprigs on top.
• Bake until cauliflower is golden and tender, about 20 minutes.
• In a large pot (or dutch oven) over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, about 8 minutes. Drain cooked bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate, reserving fat in the pot, then chop bacon into small pieces.
• Add onion to bacon fat and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, another minute, then pour in wine. Cook until wine has mostly reduced down, about 2 minutes.
• Add roasted cauliflower to the pot and pour over chicken broth. Add bay leaf and remaining thyme sprigs. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the cauliflower is falling apart, about 20 minutes. 
• Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs from soup. Using an immersion blender, purée soup until smooth. (Alternatively, you can use a blender. Let mixture cool for 5 minutes then fill the blender halfway. Cover with the lid, but leave one corner open, then cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters. Pulse until smooth. Repeat as many times as necessary. Return puréed soup to dutch oven.)
• Season to taste with salt and pepper then stir in heavy cream. Serve warm with cheddar, chopped bacon, and chives.

Steps:

• Remove and discard leaves from each cauliflower head, then trim stem so that the cauliflower can lie flat on cutting board. (Leave the core intact!)
• Cut each cauliflower into thick “steaks” about 3/4" thick. Reserve any loose florets to cook with the steaks. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, and paprika. Season mixture with salt and pepper.
• Heat a grill or grill pan to medium. Brush one side of each steak with olive oil mixture and place the brushed side down on the grill. Brush the top sides with olive oil mixture and cook until tender and both sides are charred in spots, about 8 minutes per side. Top each cauliflower with cheese and cook until melted.
• Toss any extra florets in the olive oil mixture and grill, turning often, until charred and tender, about 6 minutes.
• Drizzle cauliflower with ranch dressing, then sprinkle cooked bacon and chives on top.