This dish tastes rich and buttery and has a super smooth, luxurious texture. It is thick, soft, creamy, and good for you making it the ultimate comfort food. It doesn’t need any of the added fat that is oftentimes added to a Thanksgiving mashed potato dish. You are going to have a hard time sharing. It’s probably best to make 2 or 3 batches of this recipe if anyone else is in your house.
Why Choose Cauliflower Over White Potatoes?
Cauliflower has significantly more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than white potatoes. The Glycemic Index (GI) for an entire head of cauliflower is about 14 (very low) while for just one white potato is anywhere between 76-111 (high to very high). Foods that score high on the GI make your blood sugar spike which can lead to the loss of sensitivity to insulin. This adds to your risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Cauliflower has more protein and less calories than potatoes and is anti-inflammatory (whereas potatoes are inflammatory). Self Nutrition Data says that cauliflower makes you feel fuller, has a more balanced nutrition load, higher amino acid score, and is overall much better for weight-loss than potatoes.
So for these reasons making the delicious switch to cauliflower for your mashed potatoes is a really great idea. Just give these a try one time. I promise you won’t be disappointed! Even the pickiest, mainstream-prefering-est eaters love this dish! The comforting mouthfeel and rich taste is going to send you over the edge – without any of the guilt that eating an entire mixing bowl of white potatoes might give you! Okay, enough! I’m drooling! Let’s get to cooking!
Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes”
Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower (cleaned and separated into florets)
- 1/4 cup filtered water
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 dash garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- chopped green onions (optional)
How To:
- Steam the cauliflower until it is soft. It needs to be tender enough for a fork to easily cut through it. Try not to overcook it (evidenced by a mushy consistency) because we want to retain as many nutrients as possible.
- Add the softened cauliflower to a food processor along with the spices.
- Add half the water and process. Stop the processor and work the cauliflower down with a spoon every now and then.
- Add the last part of the water and continue until perfectly smooth.
- Enjoy your soft and buttery(-tasting) mashed “taters”!
I eat an entire cauliflower by myself this way. I’m sorry, I’m not sharing. It is so so so SO good! For a serious treat, we could blend up a savory mushroom gravy (recipe to come!) to add on top. Consider bringing this to your next Thanksgiving celebration and spread the gift of blissful healthfulness to your family and friends!
Blissful Eating 