Shelly's Recipe

HAM AND CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE AU GRATIN

Category: Casseroles - Pork

At least 6 cups cauliflower flowerets, cut fairly small (1 large head cauliflower or 1 1/2 small heads)
1/2 tsp. salt (for water to cook cauliflower)
2 cups diced lean ham
4 oz. reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup Greek yogurt
2 T finely-grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
3/4 cup grated low-fat cheese (I used Four Cheese Mexican Blend)

Preheat oven to 350F. Fill a medium-sized pot half full with water, add 1/2 tsp. salt, and start to bring to a boil. Cut up the cauliflower into small flowerets, discarding the leaves and core. Put cauliflower pieces into the water and cook at a low boil until the cauliflower is starting to get soft, about 20 minutes. (It doesn't need to be completely cooked, but it should be soft enough to mash.)

While cauliflower is cooking, cut the ham into very small cubes, trimming any visible fat, and slice green onions. Put cream cheese into a glass dish or measuring cup and soften it in the microwave for a few minutes. (Or you can soften it on top of the pre-heating oven if you don't have a microwave.) When cream cheese is soft stir in the Greek yogurt, Parmesan, and sliced green onions.

When cauliflower is cooked enough to start to soften, pour into a colander placed in the sink and let it drain well (at least 5 minutes.) Put the drained cauliflower back into the pot you cooked it in and mash with a potato masher until it's partly mashed but still has quite a few chunks left. Stir in the sauce mixture and combine well with the cauliflower; then gently mix in the diced ham. Season to taste with fresh-ground black pepper. (I didn't use salt because the ham and the Parmesan are both salty.)

Spray glass or crockery casserole dish with non-stick spray or olive oil. (I used a round dish that was 8 inches across, with fairly high sides.) Pour cauliflower mixture into the dish, spread out evenly, and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned and all the mixture is hot throughout and starting to bubble. Let sit 10 minutes for any liquid to be absorbed, then serve hot. Serves 6