Cauliflower can be bland and boring, but this healthy vegetable can also taste fabulous if done right! My fresh takes on the trending vegetable will even please your family’s toughest critic. These recipes are delicious pairings for many meats and sauces, making them great healthy alternatives to starches such as potatoes or rice for your next meal.
Rosemary and Thyme Mash
Boil one pot of water. Coarsely chop one head of cauliflower. Add the cauliflower to the boiling water until soft, about 7-8 minutes. Strain the cauliflower in a colander in the sink.
While the cauliflower strains in the sink, put the pot back on the stove and add 1/4 cup of butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Let the butter melt into the oil on a low temperature. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and let the garlic become fragrant and soft, about 2 minutes. Add two tablespoons each of dried rosemary and dried thyme. Let simmer in the butter for 1 minute.
Add the boiled cauliflower into the pot, with the garlic and herb butter mixture. Using a potato masher over low heat, mash the cauliflower and combine with the butter, oil, and herbs. Add 1/2 cup of whole milk, mash in to incorporate. Salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy this healthy mash.
Pineapple Fried “Rice”
In a food processor or blender, roughly blend one head of raw cauliflower in small batches until it’s rice grain sized granules. Set aside.
Medium dice 1 small white onion, 1 red pepper, and 1/2 a sweet pineapple. In a large non-stick sauce pan, on medium heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil or coconut oil. Saute the onion, pepper, and pineapple over medium heat until onion is translucent and the pineapple is fragrant, about 5 minutes. Melt in 3 tablespoons of butter, then add the cauliflower.
Mix the cauliflower pineapple medley every 1-2 minutes until cauliflower is no longer crunchy but still has a firm texture, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. This side dish is a great semi-sweet accompaniment to Asian inspired dishes.
Use the herbed mash as an alternative to your mashed potato dish or the pineapple fried “rice” instead of boring plain rice at your next meal to add more vegetables to your family’s diet.