Cauliflower au Gratin

• 1 cauliflower, weighing about 2 lb. (900 g)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• A stale breadcrust (optional)

Cut the central core from the cauliflower and separate the florets. Wash them carefully in cold water.

Bring lightly salted water to a boil and add the oil; you can also add a stale breadcrust to the water (it will absorb some of the odor of the cauliflower as it cooks). Add the cauliflower, boil for 5 minutes from the time the water comes back to a boil, then drain. Butter a baking dis