Creamy Steamy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Yes, it’s as yummy as it sounds.

Also–disclaimer–I didn’t invent this recipe, although I wish I had, but I’m bringing it to my blog because everybody should know about it, especially parents of picky children who won’t eat vegetables or anything green.

I first tried it at Thanksgiving 10 years ago at the home of Grandma Elli, the consummate creative cook. She finds recipes and plays with them until they’re perfect. Her mashed potatoes were so rich and satisfying that I actually didn’t believe that it was cauliflower. But it was.

First, let’s take a look at cauliflower

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It seems like the unassuming wallflower of the cruciferous family–no bright colors to sport or flamboyant taste. So you may be surprised by how powerful it is. It actually kicks ass.

How?

1. It helps prevent cancer. Cauliflower has the ability to act as an anti-mutagen, inhibiting tumor cells from reproducing.
2. It helps prevent inflammation, which is the precursor to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and brain disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Cauliflower is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds and these help combat oxidative stress and free-radicals in our body.
3. It contains vital vitamins and minerals, especially C and K. Little known Vitamin K helps maintain a healthy skeletal structure and prevents bone density loss and osteoporosis. It also helps with blood clotting. And Vitamin K has the unique property of reducing inflammation in the body. This amazing vitamin actually protects you from the detrimental effects of not eating well.
4. It helps with detoxification. All cruciferous vegetables contain compounds called glucosinolates which aid digestion and detoxification and help your body absorb nutrients. Glucosinolate also protects the stomach lining from leaky gut syndrome and fosters healthy bacteria, which keep bad bacteria in check.

It’s not enough! What else does it do? Lucky for you, the list goes on.

• Cauliflower helps with weight loss because it has almost no calories and its fiber is so filling.
• It helps to relieve constipation by moving excess waste and water weight out of your body.
• High antioxidant veggies like cauliflower lower unhealthy levels of estrogen.
• Something called sulforaphane in cauliflower appears to protect retinal tissues from oxidative stress that lead to cataracts and blindness.

So clearly this is a miracle food and you should find a way to whip it into your diet (and don’t forget your kids).

Creamy Steamy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Here’s the recipe (serves 3-4):

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower
• 2 garlic cloves
• Salt
• 1-2 tbsp grass-fed butter or ghee

Optional:

• Mushrooms or onions (sautéed separately)
• Parmesan cheese
• Dash of freshly ground nutmeg
• Freshly ground black pepper

Get started:

1. Steam the cauliflower (in a steamer or a pot with steamer insert) until soft (around 10-15 min)
2. Chop the garlic and toss in steamer for the last 5 min or sauté separately in olive oil
3. Salt liberally.
4. Transfer to colander to drain.
5. Pour into a food processor, add optional ingredients (cheese, pepper, nutmeg, onions) and  butter/ghee.
6. Process until smooth.

Taste test and make sure it’s salty, buttery, smooth, and luscious. Adjust accordingly.

Consider sprinkling with bacon bits or “coconut bacon” for even more flavor.

Serve hungry kids immediately or store with lid in fridge for up to 4 days–it reheats well.

This is an easy win for busy parents, so give it a try! It’s basically like making mashed potatoes but 100 times healthier.

Another fantastic idea:

Buy pre-crumbled cauliflower (pre-washed in a bag) and add to ground beef, beans, rice or pasta.

Result: healthy you, healthy kids! 😀

(Ok, mommy, stop, that’s enough!)

Creamy Steamy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

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• Author: Nina Miller
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Side Dish

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Ingredients

•  head cauliflower
• 2 garlic cloves
• Salt
• 1-2 tbsp grass-fed butter or ghee

OPTIONAL:

• Mushrooms or onions (sautéed separately)
• Parmesan cheese
• Dash of freshly ground nutmeg
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Steam the cauliflower (in a steamer or a pot with steamer insert) until soft (around 10-15 min)
2. Chop the garlic and toss in steamer for the last 5 min or sauté separately in olive oil
3. Salt liberally.
4. Transfer to colander to drain.
5. Pour into a food processor, add optional ingredients (cheese, pepper, nutmeg, onions) and  butter/ghee.
6. Process until smooth.

Notes

Taste test and make sure it’s salty, buttery, smooth, and luscious. Adjust accordingly.