Why Creamy Mashed Cauliflower Should Be Your New Go-To Comfort Food

If you are searching for comfort food without a heavy carbohydrate load, please be sure to read on. We challenge you to open your mind and your palate to experience Creamy Mashed Cauliflower, even if you are not a fan of the traditional "steamed cauliflower" your mom used to make or it's very pungent aroma.

In this blog, we’ll discuss why Creamy Mashed Cauliflower is a great comfort food and how it’s a lighter, healthier alternative to mashed potatoes. We’ll also share a few pro tips for the best results and a simple Creamy Mashed Cauliflower Recipe. The easy-to-find ingredients and step-by-step instructions to make it creamy and delicious. You’ll also find some tips to customize the dish to your tastes, ideas on food pairings, and why it’s worth adding to your comfort food list. 

A Comfort Food with a Twist

Why is it we all love comfort foods? It has been well documented and researched "comfort foods" can improve moods and relieve stress due to the chemical reactions activated in your brain. Chemicals often released include:

• Dopamine - a feel good chemical
• Serotonin - a feeling of calmness
• Endorphins - eating foods you enjoy can improve mood and relieve pain
• Mindfulness - eating foods you enjoy creates a focus on a positive experience

We have all experienced not only the wonderful taste and corresponding "positive feelings" (and chemical reactions) of comfort foods so let's take one of our favorites, Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Today, we will twist it up for a healthy, low-carb, flavorful comfort food you can enjoy frequently as a side dish or even as a foundational element in a Mashed Protein Bowl (read on). 

Of course, we all know it is healthier too! Cauliflower is often referred to as a "Super Star" vegetable.

• Low in carbohydrates
• High in fiber
• Low glycemic index
• Macronutrient breakdown for typical "Cauliflower Mashies" (56% carbs, 23% fat, and 21% protein) 
• High in vitamin C, K, potassium and folate

Why Choose Mashed Cauliflower?

Outside of all of the wonderful nutritional facts we just outlined above, Mashed Cauliflower is also excellent to support a Keto, Low-Carb or Gluten-Free Diet. It is can also be prepared to be very light, without the heaviness of potatoes.

Due to the fact Cauliflower is considered a non-starchy vegetable, it can also be easier to prepare than mashed potatoes. We all know, from bad results, it is possible, and quite easy to over-mash potatoes. In fact, potatoes release starch when they're mashed, so when you mash them a little too much, they can release too much starch and become gummy. 

If you not convinced yet, Mashed Caulliflower reheats much better than it's potato counterpart. Make it ahead and simply reheat.

The Perfect Creamy Mashed Cauliflower Recipe

One common favorite recipe for Mashed Potatoes includes fresh Garlic and Cream Cheese so we created a recipe varation with these flavorful ingredients as well.

Here are the Ingredients:

• 1 Large Head (6 Cups of Florets with Stems Removed to Preference) of Fresh Cauliflower. Frozen Florets can work too! 
• 1 t. of Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Flavored Olive Oil
• 1-2 Cloves of Fresh Garlic (More if Desired)
• 2 T. Unsalted Butter 
• 2 T. Cream Cheese (In Chunks at Room Temperature)
• Sea Salt to Taste (For an Herbal Touch, try Seasonello®)

Here's How to Cook Mashed Cauliflower:

Steam via Microwave

Place the fresh cauliflower florets into a large, microwave safe bowl with 1/2 cup of water. Cover plastic wrap for "steaming".

Microwave for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cauliflower is soft and mushy. Pour the cauliflower into a collindar and pat dry.

Steam on the Stovetop
Place a steamer basket in a large saucepan and add water to come right below the steamer basket. Add a little salt to the water and place the cauliflower in the steamer basket, cover and bring the water to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce the heat to simmer and cook, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes. For the best "mashing" cook the cauliflower until it is very soft and mushy.

Make the Creamy Mashed Cauliflower:

Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about a minute, until fragrant.

Place the cooked cauliflower, sauteed olive oil and garlic, butter, cream cheese, and a bit of salt into a food processor or a blender. Puree for 1-2 minutes, until it is completely smooth (or to your preferred texture if a chunkier texture is desired).

Adjust salt to taste.

Garnish as desired with fresh herbs or an additional drizzle of olive oil or pad of butter and enjoy!

See this Recipe and more at theolivetap.com. 

Pro Tips for the Best Mashed Cauliflower

• Buy it Fresh: Fresh cauliflower is key to any variation of "cauli mashies". The smell of cauliflower is often described as slightly sulfury, earthy, and slightly vegetal with a hint of cabbage-like aroma. Especially when raw, a fresh cauliflower should have a mild, almost neutral scent. If it has a strong or pungent odor, it indicates it might be past its prime and also not a good candidate for use in any Creamy Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! 

• Texture Control: For chunkier consistency, use a potato masher. For a smooth creamy result, try using a blender or food processor. 

• Customization: Add roasted garlic, fresh herbs, truffle oil or flavored olive oils (instead of butter - see conversion guidelines) or gourmet cheese for unique flavors.

• Make it An Entree: Just about everywhere you go, you see "Bowls" on the menu. Why not try our Creamy Mashed Cauliflower Recipe and top it with your favorite protein, beans, fresh herbs, spinach, sprouts, salsa or spices. The opportunities are endless! 

How to Pair It

• Due to the versatility of traditional Mashed Potatos, we find it very easy to pair Creamy Mashed Cauliflower with just about anything. Try it with roasted or grilled meats and poultry (see our Apricot Balsamic Glazed Chicken Recipe), seafood including shrimp or grilled salmon (see our Blackened Salmon Recipe), or as a side for hearty meat or vegetable stews. 

• Serve as a topping for Shepherd’s Pie or alongside traditional holiday meals including Easter Ham or Thanksgiving Turkey.

Give It a Try

We encourage all of our Olive Tap Foodies (and even non-foodies) to experience a new comfort food, Creamy Mashed Cauliflower, and to explore the tasty variations as well. 

Now you may even believe, Mashed Cauliflower is even easier to make, without the fuss of peeling or over mashing! We would love to hear about your variations of our recipe on our Socials too.