Are you all looking for ways to lighten up your Thanksgiving Holiday Meal without sacrificing flavor? I LOVE rich, buttery, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, but, honestly skip them during turkey day because they are just not worth the “calories” and I can have them ANY time of the year. I usually try to save my calories for things that I can only each once a year.
I will be the first to tell you that any recipe variation for mashed potatoes that people have told me about that does NOT include potatoes just sounds funky. I think The Husband gets a little worried whenever he sees me browsing ideas for “mock mashed potatoes”.
I have had sooooo many friends tell me to give “cauliflower” mashed potatoes a try and I think they are CRAZY!!! Well, I finally took that big leap of faith and ventured out. Honestly, I thought this would be a recipe I’d make and throw out. I am not a big fan of Cauliflower – I think it tastes like rubber. I’ll eat it, but, I don’t enjoy it.
I cannot tell you all how much these “Mock Mashed Potatoes” taste exactly like mashed potatoes. They are thick, creamy and buttery with hints of garlic. I really think it’s the half and half that makes all the difference. Even The Husband loved them and he was probably more scared to try it than me. We actually both split the recipe and ate ALL of it the first time I made it.
We have since played a joke of the nephews and friends serving it up and not telling them they were Mock Mashed Potatoes. It’s always fun to tell everyone AFTER what they really ate :D Isn’t that always the best time to find out?! LOL.
The added bonus – it’s so easy to make and totally save you time to work on all your other holiday treats!
MOCK MY MASHED POTATOES
INGREDIENTS
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets, about 3 cups
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 ounce butter-flavored spray
1/2 cup fat-free half & half
Sea Salt & freshly ground black pepper
VARIATIONS (Count additional calories/points+ for each addition)
* Add a 1/4 cup of parmesan to make them “cheesier”
* Add 2 slices crumbles turkey bacon and 1/4 cup low fat sharp cheddar cheese for garlicky, cheesy, bacon mashed potatoes!
* Spice it up by adding 1 chipotle in adobo sauce pepper
Make it VEGAN by using Soy Milk and 1 Tbsp melted Earth Balance Butter
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place cauliflower and garlic cloves in a microwave steamer. I typically add about a 1/4 inch water to help it “steam”. Steam or microwave the cauliflower until soft, about 7-8 minutes.
2. Drain cauliflower/garlic mixture well and place in a large food processor. Puree in a food processor, adding the butter spray and the half-and-half. Season with salt and pepper.
Makes 4 large servings!
Nutritional information per serving, 1 point+ each! (1/2 the recipe is only 1 point)
I am totally planning on serving these Mashed Potatoes up this year for Thanksgiving (let all our guest be forewarned 😉
HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!
i had a similar apprehension when people mentioned alternate white veggies as substitutes, but i was just as surprised as you to find they really do taste like the real deal! i made a variation of that recipe that is soooo good using a touch of parsnip and butternut squash and it added to the flavor even more.
can i crash your t-giving?
This dish is an old Atkins trick. Love it when different food plans unite! Hooray for 0 points!
Love these from my South Beach days. Try light herbed cheese (Lite Alouette, Lite Boursin or Laughing Cow Lite).
The leftovers, should there be any, are great the next morning pan “fried” in a tad of olive oil or ICBINB like a potato pancake.
I’ve got my lightened up dessert recipe tested and ready to go for Thanksgiving:
http://eatlittleeatbig.blogspot.com/2010/11/recipe-for-light-pumpkin-cheesecake.html
I have been on a huge kick with these lately! they are super easy and soooo good!
This looks wonderful, the few cauliflower mashes I’ve tried have been great and this does look perfect for Thanksgiving. Thanks!
You should try it with some mashed turnips! They taste amazing with the cauliflower! Ummm can you come over for thanksgiving?
I am going to try your method, because my cauliflower mashed “potatoes” never turn out so creamy!
I made these tonight and I am shouting it from the top of my lungs- I LOVE THEM! Gonna share with everyone! Link luv everywhere! lol 🙂
I tried these tonight – I love them! The rest of the fam wouldn’t mind if I lost the recipe. 🙂 A couple of things for next time – I forgot the garlic tonight but next time I’ll use roasted garlic – also I don’t think I cooked the cauliflower long enough so it had a lot of texture after running through the food processor. I’m looking forward to having the leftovers with breakfast! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
ummm i dont understand why you said “to make it vegan, add smart balance butter” i just looked on the site and it has whey in it? did i miss something?
Hi Andrea,
Great catch! I actually meant to type Earth Balance. Here is a link to the Vegan Sticks I use when I bake and cook vegan.
http://www.earthbalancenatural.com/product/natural-shortening/
I will make a note to update that.
Danica