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Dani Spies is a Certified Health and Nutrition Counselor, Fitness Trainer and Mom who is passionate about finding simple ways to make real, whole, nutrtious foods a part of an everyday kitchen. More about Dani »

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Mashed Cauliflower - Video

*Updated with a video 11/09 - You guys asked for this recipe to be demonstrated in a video, so here ya go!

Let me first say, that I have nothing against potatoes. As a matter of fact, I love potatoes... especially baked potatoes.  Oooooh and french fries.  I really love french fries.  I'd be lying if I said I that a crispy, crunchy, perfectly salted, fry didn't do it for me.  I mean seriously, is it even possible to not like a French fry??

But, here's the deal...

Come Thanksgiving, one of my "must have" sides is roasted root veggies, which include butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots. So in my book the potato part of the meal is covered, right? Think about it, if it weren't Turkey Day, would you ever make a meal that had two potato dishes??

I mean, I don't know. Maybe you would, but I wouldn't. And I'll tell you why.

You see it’s NOT a "carb" thing. It's a "full belly" thing. Let's face it, it's those starchy carbs that fill us up the fastest, and I don't know about you guys but come Thanksgiving, I'm in it for the long haul and starting the meal with a combo of sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and stuffing is not a good formula to make it through a long day of eating.

So I try to find ways to create all of the flavors and textures that I've come to love on Thanksgiving, without creating the "full belly" feeling before I can even get to my pumpkin pie. (Because let's be honest, most of us, full belly or not, are still gonna find a way to squeeze the pumpkin pie in, so why not try to do that with out having the “full belly” feeling.)

Mashed Cauliflower takes the role of the mashed potatoes. They're creamy, hearty and comforting just like your traditional mash. I mean, they even serve as the perfect bed for a ladle of gravy just like your traditional mash BUT they are a lot lighter, leaving you with plenty of room for what’s to come.

You get the whole mashed potato experience with out the "gut bustin', hand stuffed down your pants" feeling. Which means come time for the pumpkin pie, you can actually enjoy it!

(I'm tellin' you guys, I'm always thinking...)

Now, I've tried Mashed Cauliflower many different ways and what I have learned to be the the secret ingredient behind really good Mashed Cauliflower is RAW ONION. A little raw onion takes this side dish from “Really Good” to “Crazy Good"! But beware... I'm a big flavor kind of girl, so I really like to taste the onion, but if you are not so into big flavors start out small with the onion and taste as you go. Another option... swap the onion for it's mild friend the scallion, that would be great too!

Bottom line here: Whatever spin you like to put on your traditional mashed potatoes you can put on your Mashed Cauliflower! And if you've got any yummy twists, please be sure to share in the comments!

Happy Almost Thanksgiving!!

Mashed Cauliflower - Video

Ingredients

Half a medium onion, peeled and quartered*
1 clove of garlic, peeled
1 head of cauliflower, cored and roughly chopped
1 5.3 oz container plain, fat-free, Greek yogurt
¼ cup of Pecorino Romano cheese
2 tbsp. Earth Balance (or organic butter… whatever you have)
Salt and pepper to taste
 
*If you are not looking for a strong onion flavor start with a quarter of the onion and taste as you go! 

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place cauliflower in a steam basket and steam for about eight minutes or until fork tender. 

In a food processor, blend onions and garlic (be usre to get them really fine).  Add cauliflower, Earth Balance, yogurt, cheese, salt and pepper and blend some more.  You want the finished product to be like a thick puree.

Once everything comes together... taste it.  Is it too thin? Add more cheese… A little bland?  Another hit of salt!  It’s in you’re hands… do you’re thing and remember… enjoy!!

Serves 4. 

Nutritional Analysis

Calories: 124; Total Fat: 6.3g; Saturated Fat: 2.2g; Cholesterol: 4mg; Sodium: 168mg; Carbohydrate: 10.8g; Dietary Fiber: 4.1; Sugars: 2.3; Protein: 8.8g

Other recipes you may enjoy:
Quinoa & Leek Stuffed Turkey Breast (video)
Quinoa & Leek Stuffing
Roasted Root Veggies 
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Brussel Sprouts w/ Apples and Bacon

Comments

kate :

Hey this doesn't sound bad at all. With the Pecorino, garlic, and Greek yogurt I think this would taste amazing, even if it s cauliflower. Brilliant idea !

posted on November 16, 2007 8:54 AM

Dani :

Kate - I'm telling you...it's really, really good!

posted on November 16, 2007 10:31 AM

Linda :

Dani,
What is the green sprinkled stuff on top of the mash? Is it Italian parsley?

posted on November 18, 2007 10:36 AM

Sondra :

I think I must finally be a grown up, because I'm loving cauliflower these days. This is lighter than my light version. I use reduced fat sour cream and chicken broth. Also - after blanching the cauliflower for a little - I saute it with a little olive oil and garlic 'til it's browned a little. It's not so perfectly white, but it gives nice flavor. I'm gonna try this though, 'cause a few extra calories saved means - like you said...room for more dessert!

posted on November 18, 2007 1:29 PM

Jaya :

Dani, I love your site! I actually do a version of this dish with steamed cauliflower, roasted garlic and caramelized onion (+kosher salt/pepper) and it's heavenly! It's even better served with a drizzle of flax oil! A sprinkle of parmesan is also a welcome addition. I'm looking forward to trying your recipe for some variety. Beautiful site!

posted on February 11, 2008 4:45 PM

Dani :

Jaya - Welcome and thank you!!

posted on February 11, 2008 6:45 PM

Krista :

I really want to try these but have not found any plain yogurt I can substitute (I'm dairy and sugar free). Do you have any ideas of what I could sub in there? Soy milk and something to thinken it up? Not sure what I would use for that. What if I use a bit of soy milk and upped the Earth Balance? If you have any ideas I'd really appreciate it - there's a head of cauliflower in my fridge begging to be mashed!

posted on March 23, 2008 6:48 PM

Dani :

Krista - Hmmm. How about a plain soy yogurt or a soy cheese substitute...that might do the job. Let me know what you come up with.

posted on March 23, 2008 7:40 PM

Norma :

I used half of the onion required in this recipe and it was REALLY overpowering. If you take the onion away (or maybe sautee them) the rest of the ingredients are perfect but I think the onion was too much.

posted on January 23, 2009 7:58 AM

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