FINALLY- the often maligned cauliflower from our childhood has come of age by earning the culinary respect it so rightly deserves. Once commonly part of boring and tasteless steamed veggie combos (whether sold in the frozen section of your supermarket or offered as a non-creative “side” in many restaurants) cauliflower’s popularity has skyrocketed! Today, you’ll find an explosion of dishes featuring cauliflower as a credible and quite tasty low carb swap for rice (see Cauliflower Shrimp Fried “Rice” Bowls) and as a healthy gluten-free pizza “crust,” (a future MPM blog recipe!) just to name a couple of yummy possibilities. I’m busily working away on additional cauliflower goodies to share with you, but in the meantime here are two of my “MPM Side Dish in a Flash” favorites, both staples on our weeknight and holiday dinner menus, especially at Thanksgiving.
Complete Thanksgiving Recipe Collection
Mashed Confetti Cauliflower
For a low-carb and dairy-free alternative to the more traditional mashed potatoes, try trading your favorite spuds with cauliflower! Colorful bits of caramelized veggies lend added natural sweetness and an infusion of chopped fresh herbs lend a pleasant “note” which will be especially appealing to those with picky palettes.
From stove to table in less than 30 minutes, makes this healthy cauliflower mash another great “MPM Side Dish in a Flash!”
Mashed Confetti Cauliflower
Yield: 3 to 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 large carrot chopped
- 1 small orange bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 small yellow bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large head cauliflower leaves and stems removed
- 2 to 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or as desired
- Freshly ground pepper or cayenne as desired
Garnish (optional)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
Instructions
- In a large sauté pan, heat oil over medium-high setting. Sauté onions, carrots, peppers and garlic for about 8 minutes or until softened and light caramelized. Set aside.
- With a sharp knife, cut cauliflower into chunks. Steam for about 8 minutes or until VERY TENDER when pierced with a fork. (If you prefer to boil the cauliflower, make sure you drain well.)
- Transfer cauliflower to a large bowl.
- Using a potato masher or large fork, mash cauliflower with reserved sautéed vegetables, broth, herbs, salt and pepper. NOTE: texture will be smooth-chunky. If a creamier consistency is desired, puree mixture in a blender, food processor or use an immersion blender.
- Taste; adjust seasonings as desired. Transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with thyme leaves and chopped parsley. (optional)
Notes
Roasted Cauliflower
If you have never tried roasting cauliflower before, be prepared for an incredible treat! Roasting removes cauliflower’s tangy overtones, imparting the most delectable sweet (and addicting) flavor which requiring nothing more than a light seasoning of coarse salt and pepper. One large head of roasted cauliflower “should” feed 4, but my husband and I love it so much, we fight each other for the last bite!
Also, from stove to table in less than 30 minutes, makes this addictive roasted cauliflower another great MPM Side Dish in a Flash!”
Roasted Cauliflower
Yield: 3 to 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower stem and outer leaves removed
- Olive oil spray
- About 4 teaspoons olive oil
- Coarse salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly coat 2 baking sheets with sides with olive oil spray.
- Slice cauliflower vertically into about 1/4-inch wide pieces. (Some pieces will break and crumble while slicing.) Place slices (broken and whole) as well as all “crumbles” on baking sheets. Toss each pan of cauliflower with about 2 teaspoons oil and salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast for about 20 minutes or until cauliflower is tender and nicely browned, turning with a spatula half-way through. “Crumbles” will turn a darker brown and possibly even become crispy which are quite delicious!
Notes
Our Favorite Thanksgiving “MPM Side Dishes in a Flash!”
Coming to the Blog: Roasted Apples, Butternuts ‘n Onions
Ceeya Next Time!
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