Ingredients

  • 225g smoked haddock
  • 600mls skimmed milk
  • 1 bayleaf
  • 200g macaroni
  • 1 large cauliflower, trimmed and cut into large florets
  • 1 bunch spring onions
  • 50g butter
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • ¼ tsp dried mustard
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • Grainy mustard to taste
  • 75g mature Cheddar cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

  1. Cut smoked haddock into thick chunks.  Put into a large saucepan, pour over the milk and add the bay leaf. Bring slowly to the boil and reduce the temperature to poach over a low heat for 3 – 4 minutes. Remove the fish from the milk and strain the milk ready for use in the sauce.
  2. Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water for 7 minutes, add the cauliflower florets and continue to simmer until the pasta is just cooked and the cauliflower tender. Strain and allow to drain for a few minutes.
  3. In a medium sized saucepan cook the spring onions in the butter for 3 – 4 minutes or until tender. Blend on the flour with the mustard and cayenne pepper. Cook over a very low heat for 1 minute then blend in the hot milk, whisking to prevent lumps forming. Bring to the boil and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in the grainy mustard and cheddar cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  4. Heat the oven to gas mark 6 (200C) Mix the smoked haddock cauliflower and pasta together and tip into a large gratin dish. Spoon the cheese sauce over the top and sprinkle a little extra cheese over the top. Bake on the top shelf of the oven for 15  – 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and it is piping hot.