The Delight of Cauliflower (with a recipe)

Until recently, cauliflower was a much neglected vegetable. It wasn't even easy to grow - when the head started to form, you had to tie leaves over the little head so that it would self-blanch and turn out white.

Now, it is (for many) one of the most prized veggies.  It is a favorite in the paleo diet, as it can substitute for rice or even potatoes when prepared right.   And it even comes in colors now, like a rainbow.

Purple.

 Orange.

And yes, white.

As Thanksgiving is coming up, how about some cauliflower "mashed potatoes" as a treat? This is a recipe my spouse, the family cook, makes occasionally.

Cauliflower "Mashed Potatoes"

One Head cauliflower, cut up into the florets.  Of the various types, spouse likes the orange best. (I wouldn't use the purple kind.  White works, though.)
Light butter, to taste
Parmesan Cheese, to taste

Method

1. Cook cauliflower in microwave or steam until fork tender.  Microwaving preserves nutrients. Spouse does not use chicken broth - rather, he uses water.

2 Puree in blender until smooth, adding just enough cooking liquid so it will come out as a thick puree. As you puree, add 1 tbsp light butter in to taste, along with 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Salt to taste.

4. Warm in microwave before you serve it.

5. And that's it. Enjoy!  I won't give suggested number of servings.  That is up to you.

Not only that, it is simple enough, if you have time and a food processor, to make "cauliflower rice".

Some people even make pizza crusts with cauliflower, and these crusts can be purchased commercially.

Have you fallen in love with cauliflower?

Tomorrow is my MusicMovesMe post, but I'll be back Tuesday with another recipe suitable for Thanksgiving.

Love Potatoes? Try This

Do you think that cauliflower is bland, white, and boring?

It doesn't have to be any of those. 

It's time to think of cauliflower in a different way.  And, as a bonus, I am going to blog about a recipe I love.

For example, in a purple way. (the only drawback is, when it cooks, it doesn't turn green like many other purple veggies - rather, it turns a blah purplish grey.)

Tried to show the orange and it got too blue

Or an orange way.

Or a green way. (the green cauliflower is on the left and the right, with brocolli in the center.)

We are so fortunate in upstate New York, where cauliflower grows well, and it grows big.

And it is nutritious.

Don't just think white!

Now, I have a recipe for you.  This is a variation my spouse makes on a famous "South Beach Diet Cauliflower Mashed 'Potatoes'"  recipe that was so popular a few years ago.

I interviewed my spouse, the family cook, for this recipe.  He is a "feel" cook, i.e. he doesn't measure, and he can't tell you exactly what he does.  He just does it.  So, you may want to refer to the above link if you need more exact directions.

Cauliflower "Mashed Potatoes" a la AM's Spouse

One Head cauliflower, cut up into the florets.  Of the various types, spouse likes the orange best. (I wouldn't use the purple kind.  White works, though.)
Light butter, to taste
Parmesan Cheese, to taste

Method

1. Cook cauliflower in microwave or steam until fork tender.  Microwaving preserves nutrients. Spouse does not use chicken broth - rather, he uses water.

2 Puree in blender until smooth, adding just enough cooking liquid so it will come out as a thick puree. As you puree, add 1 tbsp light butter in to taste, along with 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Salt to taste. 

4. Warm in microwave before you serve it.

5. And that's it. Enjoy!

I truly like this better than mashed potatoes.

Do you have a favorite "mock food" recipe?