Whether you love mashed potatoes and wishing to have it more often on your table, or simply looking for a new way of incorporating more vegetables into your diet, this recipe is the way to go! Cauliflower mashed potatoes can be a nutritious and comforting side dish! Plus, the recipe is unbelievably easy and quick!
First things first. Cauliflower is an amazing vegetable and many of us will benefit from befriending it. Cauliflower is high in fiber and provides a significant amount of antioxidants, which are beneficial for reducing inflammation and protecting against several chronic diseases (1).
Not only is cauliflower nutritious, but it is also really accessible. You can find it in almost every store in any season. My mom even grows it in her garden in Siberia, during the summertime, of course ;).
We love cauliflower for its neutral taste which makes this vegetable extremely versatile. I honestly use it in just about any recipe ranging from baking to smoothies. For example, blended frozen riced cauliflower creates a creamy texture and can be used instead of a banana in low-sugar smoothies.
Often during my meal prep on Sundays, I make some steamed or riced cauliflower which I easily use throughout the week. Cauliflower can replace grains and legumes in many recipes, which is a great way to follow a plant-centric diet. Sometimes, mostly on the road trip, we eat raw florets dipped in hummus as a snack, which requires almost no preparation. There is no secret that cauliflower can also be cooked in a variety of ways, such as steaming, roasting, or sautéing. It makes an excellent side dish or can be added to salads, stir-fries, and soups.
I already shared a cauliflower pizza recipe and a super easy soup recipe.
As you can see cauliflower has become the bright star of many dishes and is being used in an endless amount of recipes. I have yet to find a way to incorporate cauliflower in a dessert, but that is probably only a question of time.
I should admit that I personally love mashed potatoes. Of course, it all started in my childhood. When I was little, my mom always cooked mashed potatoes and served it as a side dish for a baked chicken. That was our main holiday dish regardless of the season. Then I grew up, moved from Russia, and forgot about my affinity to regular potatoes. Sweet potatoes became my new love. But one day, after I received a big head of cauliflower from imperfect produce, I decided to give cauliflower “mash” a try and voila! My husband and I loved it! What can be more exciting than finding a new delicious way of preparing vegetables? Many things, I know:), but it makes me happy)).
Let’s finally talk about the recipe.
This recipe requires only a few simple ingredients. I usually add about 1 tablespoon of organic grass-fed butter, which can easily be substituted with olive oil, coconut oil (for vegan version), or ghee. Because of the natural starches in the cauliflower, I found that you don’t need much butter to create the desired consistency. Feel free to adjust the salt, pepper, and garlic to your taste as well.
Cauliflower "Mashed Potatoes"
Ingredients
- 1 small cauliflower head or ½ of a regular one
- 1,5 cup of water
- 0,5 cup of any plant-based milk I use almond
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 tsp garlic powder optional
- 1 tsp of organic grass-fed butter
Instructions
- Separate the cauliflower into florets and discard the core. In a medium, pan combine cauliflower, water, milk, and salt. Bring to a boil and cook the cauliflower for 12 minutes or until very tender.
- Drain and discard all of the water (the drier the cauliflower is, the better). Add butter and garlic powder. Process in a blender until smooth.
- Enjoy!
Let me know what you think about this recipe! What are your favorite ways of cooking cauliflower? I will be happy to hear from you!
Love,
Zhenya
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