Cooking for Students Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed Cauliflower

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Cooking for Students

The majority of people enjoy mashed potatoes. They are smooth, creamy, rich and only require salt and black pepper. The problem is, they are not the healthiest. Mashed cauliflower on the other hand is quite the opposite. It has that creamy richness but is also very nutritious and low calorie. Busy students love this mashed potato alternative. Very little time is required to make it and it is versatile. Mashed cauliflower can complete a plate as a side dish or make a nice snack in between work and class. If you have some in the fridge just warm it in the microwave and you are good to go.

What’s in it?

  • 1 head of cauliflower
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Chives, for garnish (optional)

*Serves 3-4

How’s it made?

  1. Cut the florets from the head of cauliflower. You can also purchase cauliflower florets to save time. If you purchase the florets you need about 7 cups.
  2. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Salt the water generously once it is boiling. This will start building the flavor of the cauliflower.
  3. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 10-12 minutes or until tender.
  4. Drain and sprinkle with black pepper.
  5. Transfer the cooked cauliflower into a food processor along with the garlic.
  6. Add a splash of milk and process. Slowly add more milk as needed.
  7. Stir in the butter and taste.
  8. Season with more salt and/or pepper if needed.
  9. Finish with chives (optional) and serve.

The mashed cauliflower is an excellent option for those wanting all the great aspects of mashed potatoes without all the carbohydrates and calories. These can be served alongside a protein or eaten alone. This side is also nice during those times when you just need food like before work or a study session. Mashed cauliflower can be used in other recipes as well. It makes a nice topping for shepherd’s pie. When baked they get all nice and golden just like mashed potatoes but they lighten up the dish and bring a lot of nutrients. There is also the option of sprucing up the mash by adding cheese and crumbled bacon or roasting the cauliflower before processing to achieve a deeper, more robust flavor. One inexpensive head of cauliflower presents a lot of options.