Today's Tip: November Recipe #8 & 9...Cauliflower!

There is no doubt in anyone's mind who knows me that I love vegetables.  There are very few that I do not like - raw or cooked!  But I can almost guarantee you that if I see cauliflower on a veggie tray, you will not be seeing it on my plate.  However...cooked cauliflower is my friend! 

My family loves mashed potatoes so when I saw this recipe for mashed cauliflower I really didn't think the kids would go for it. But I decided to give it a try, and believe it or not the serving bowl was empty at the end of that meal!  I don't think the recipe will ever completely replace good ole mashed potatoes, but it was a nice change of pace and it also give you a few extra nutrients over the potatoes!

Creamy Mashed Cauliflower

4-6 servings

 

Ingredients

• 8-9 cups bite-size cauliflower florets (about 1 head)
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
• 1/3 cup nonfat buttermilk (see Tip)
• 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• Snipped fresh chives for garnish

Preparation

1. Place cauliflower florets and garlic in a steamer basket over boiling water, cover and steam until very tender, 12 to 15 minutes. (Alternatively, place florets and garlic in a microwave-safe bowl with 1/4 cup water, cover and microwave on High for 3 to 5 minutes.)
2. Place the cooked cauliflower and garlic in a food processor. Add buttermilk, 2 teaspoons oil, butter, salt and pepper; pulse several times, then process until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and garnish with chives, if desired. Serve hot.

Tips & Notes

• Tip: No buttermilk? Try this: mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk. Let sit for a minute and then use in recipe.

Nutrition

Per serving: 107 calories; 7 g fat ( 1 g sat , 4 g mono ); 3 mg cholesterol; 10 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 5 g protein; 4 g fiber; 339 mg sodium; 288 mg potassium.

Here's a second recipe to try.  I have not had a chance to try this recipe from Taste of Home yet, but my friend Lisa sent it to me the other day and I think it sounds delish!

Smoky Cauliflower

8 ServingsPrep/Total Time: 30 min.

Ingredients

• 1 large head cauliflower, broken into 1-inch florets (about 9 cups)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions

• Place cauliflower in a large bowl. Combine the oil, paprika and salt.
• Drizzle over cauliflower; toss to coat. Transfer to a 15-in. x
• 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 450° for 10
• minutes.
• Stir in garlic. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until cauliflower is
• tender and lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with
• parsley. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutritional Facts: 3/4 cup equals 58 calories, 4 g fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 254 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 2 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.