Mashed cauliflower

[Doodle]

Has anyone ever tried mashed cauliflower in place of mashed potatoes? I've heard they taste the same. I'm not a big fan of cauliflower, but I'm thinking of trying this to help cut carbs.

[MCS]

All I can say is doctor it up with some cheese or something if you don't :eviltongu

[kmac]

I love it. Make sure the cauliflower is well done when you steam or boil it and then add anything that would be good in potatoes. There are some good recipes here but I found you don't need a recipe. Just cook well, mash well and mix in and whip with favourite add ins. A splash of cream, a little butter some seasonings and your done. Sour cream and/or cream cheese make a good mix as well. If you like cauliflower, you will love it mashed!

You can also cook diced smaller bits not quite as well done, fork tender and then use in place of potato in "fauxtato salad" as well as use these bits in a casserole say in place of the mac in mac and cheese. Yum...
Kathi

[sumi]

I like cauliflower this way , and will try those new ideas, Kmac. However IMO, no, it doesn't taste like mashed potatoes (I tried it on my husband), so those added flavors are important. Also, I do wonder if cooking it so long might destroy or drain all the vitamins out of it.

[foxl]

I DO love the fauxtato salad!

Have not tried "mashed," yet.

[kmac]

Good point about the nutrients. That's why I steam it in the microwave, but I think you are right cooking less is more nutritious. I use the frozen for mashed because it mashes easier. I eat so many more veggies now than I used to I give myself permission to sacrifice a bit of nutrition to enjoy a "Mash" on my plate. Some meals feel more complete that way to me.

I agree it takes the place of mashed potatoes but does not taste like them. I think someone who did not like cauliflower would have trouble with it. I tried it the first time as mashed cauliflower not as a potato sub, so being that I like cauliflower it was good to me.

Also--I have used these as a topping for shepherds pie etc.
Roasting cauliflower with oil and garlic is good too. Sumi makes an excellent point about the taste. If you don't like cauliflower to begin with I think it is possible that you will not like it mashed either. I treat it as another way to cook cauliflower but I don't think anyone will be foolied and think it is potatoes. Around here there are restauants now offering it as a choice istead of mashed potato or French Fries and I've heard it is popular.

Cauliflower seems to be a love it or cannot tolerate it kind of veggie! I happen to love it.

Kathi

[poodlebone]

I love mashed cauliflower but I don't think it tastes like potatoes. I like adding cheese to mine. I would also recommend making sure your cauliflower is well drained or else your final result can be watery.

[Handybear]

I love mashed cauliflower. One trick is to keep it from becoming soggy. I actully put it in a salad spinner after I drain it. It is amazing how much water you will get out.

[Dis-N-Dat]

Yummmmm. Mashed with sauted mushrooms & onions. :D

[Doodle]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and ideas. It's not that I don't like cauliflower, I just don't think there's much taste to them. I think I'm going to try it and add some cheese, salt and pepper. Maybe some sour cream. Thanks again.

[Granny Shanny]

I think you'll be happy with it, once you add a few of the goodies mentioned . . . I would never propose that it tastes like mashed potatoes, but it's pretty good. What's not to like if you add butter, cream, sour cream, cream cheese, garlic, etc.?! :D :D :D

[sumi]

Now you've all done it!!! I am going to have to drive 35 km to our nearest store just to get cauliflower! ...and cheese, butter, sour cream, maybe some bacon bits, onions, garlic, okay, now I'm actually drooling.

[Doodle]

Oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh, bacon bits! That's what I forgot. Gotta get some of those, too. I do my grocery shopping at a store called Aldis and it's so much cheaper. Bacon bits are sooooo cheap there. Gosh, so many ideas and suggestions, I could have cauliflower so many different ways I may never get tired of them or want any other veggie. Thanks everyone!!

[Chef Barrae]

It's funny that you mention mashed cauliflower to replace mashed potatoes. I would like to share a recipe with you all for reduced carb mashed potatoes that uses cauliflower to replace half of the potatoes. This is one of my new recipes that I have been testing for the upcoming holiday season. I don't know if it is applicable for you very low carbers but I have the nutrition info at the bottom. I hope you all give it a try and please let me know how you like it.

Can't Miss Mashed Potatoes

Creamy texture with a delicious potato taste, you'll never know you are missing all those carbs!

Ingredients

4 medium Yukon Gold or Idaho potatoes (total 24 ounces)
5 cups cauliflower (one medium-large head)
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. reduced fat sour cream
1 Tbsp. chives (fresh or dried)
1/2 cup low sodium chicken stock, optional
salt and pepper to taste

I prefer to leave the potato skin on but this is entirely up to your own taste. Cut potatoes and cauliflower florettes into equal sized pieces and add to a large pot of cold salted water. Bring to boil, reduce heat and cover. Cook for between 15 and 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and return to pot over very low heat for a few minutes to evaporate any excess liquids, watching it and stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and mash or run through a potato ricer or food mill. Stir in the butter, sour cream and chives. Season to taste with salt and pepper. The cauliflower keeps the mixture moist enough and no additional liquids should be needed. If it is too thick add up to 1/2 cup low sodium chicken stock, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistancy is reached.

~ The following options for the Can't Miss Mashed Potatoes are not included in the nutritional value and do not make any appreciable difference.

~ Add three or four peeled cloves of garlic to the cooking water with the potatoes and cauliflower and mash with mixture for a mild garlicy mashed potato.

~ Add the zest of 1/2 lemon to the mashed potatoes along with the chives for a bright, light lemon essence.


Yields 6 cups
Each one cup serving contains:
Calories: 137.513
Carbohydrates: 26.77 grams
Dietary Fiber: 5.516 grams
Protein: 4.089 grams
Fat: 2.153 grams
Cholesterol: 5.09 mg.