I Can't Believe it's Not Mashed Potatoes!

Ok so here’s the deal, I love carbs, I live for carbs, I dream about carbs but carbs DO NOT love me (Haters) :(. So what we need to do is tell a little white lie to our taste buds, tummy and that little voice in our head that says "hey...hey you....how about some garlic bread, cheesy pasta and a small pie for dinner?!?!??!" (Completely normal right???) They will never know if we don't tell! Now to solve this delicious dilemma I have a taken a few recipes create by others, tweaked them and made it my own. My boyfriend LOVES this stuff!!! What we are working with here is Faux Mashed Potatoes! That’s right people I said you can eat Mashed Potatoes! Ok I am drooling! So here’s the skinny, they are not real mashed potatoes (had ya going though haha) they are actually going to be cauliflower mashed "potatoes". I know that this idea of using cauliflower has become wildly popular but you have never had mine! HA! I cut out all the bad and only added the good...because that’s what friends are for :). Ok now that we established I got your back and we are friends let's get down to business and get this cauliflower dreaminess cookin'! (Please note: do not tell your children this is a vegetable - warning they will resist trying it - remember little white lie..shhhh...).

Magnificent Mashed!

Your Grocery List:
(List Tip - I make a list on my phone, since that thing is growing out of my ear I am surly not to forget my list)


Medium Head of Cauliflower (approx 26.5 oz)
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (This is our good fat - remember to try to take in about 7g of good fat per meal!)
4 oz Goat Cheese - Room Temp (Let's give Bessie a break and try some goats cheese (:  )
1/2 C Chives (Half bundle of green onions is perfect! Not a fan? No worries this is optional)
2 Tsp Garlic Salt
Pam (Nice to see ya again BFF)


Kitchen Gadgets and Gizmos:


Large Microwave Safe Bowl
Dicing - Chopping - Slicing Knife (Emeril Eat your Heart Out)
Large Cutting Board
Measuring Spoons
Shallow Glass Baking Dish (approx 13" x 9" pan - Glass is easier for my maid me to clean afterward)
Large Spoon or Spatula for Stirring
Blender (Random right!)
Measuring Cup (We will not need this until the end - Portion Control is Protocol for Fitness Perfection)

Select Your Weapon

Directions to Magnificent Mashed


- Preheat Oven to 410 Degrees
- Wash the Cauliflower and chop into small pieces.
- Place chopped Cauliflower into Large bowl
- Add 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil to Cauliflower and Mix thoroughly
- Heat Cauliflower and Oil on high in microwave for 6-8 minutes (If your microwave cooks at a higher lever cook more towards the 6 minutes or until vegetable is tender) Stir at 3-4 minutes
- Let Cauliflower cool for approx 3-5 minutes
- Add Cauliflower mixture to Blender (it's all making sense now right?!) Place Goat Cheese into Blender
- Blend on High (Puree) Stopping to stir mixture periodically. (This is hard to blend and needs to be stirred several quite a few times until it reaches a nice smooth texture - no lumps) - This takes some time...Be - Patient.....You can always do squats while waiting...*wink *wink
                        Note: Please be careful that the Mixture is not too HOT, this will create pressure in the blender when the lid is sealed and could cause it to overflow and burn you.

- Spray glass pan with Pam (Don't be shy use a little extra (; )
- After mixture is thoroughly Blended pour into pan and spread evenly
- Sprinkle Garlic Salt over the top of Mixture (I love garlic so I load it on MmmmMmmm Vampires Beware!)
- Finishing Touches - Load the Top with Pam - We want to get a little bit of a crisp on top (Thanks Pam)
- Place on middle rack and Bake uncovered for 20 - 25 minutes (My Oven takes 20 Minutes - Please check at 15 minutes and then again at 20 (if needed), once you see crisp on the edges your "Potatoey" goodness is done!)

Almost Done!!!

- Remove From Oven and let Cool for 10-15 Minutes
- Add Green Onions and Stir
- Clean up Time! (My maid didn't show up again! Ugh...She must be having drinks with my stylist!)
- Time to Enjoy your Super Yummy Mashed!!!!  Now I'm Hungry!


This goes great with Gravy and Butter Grilled Chicken!


Skinny on the Nutrition
Serving size - 3/4 Cup
Yields 4 Servings


Calories........................ 97


Fat................................ 5g


Protein.......................... 6g


Carbs............................ 11g


Sugar............................ 6g


Fiber............................. 6.5g


**Nutrition is based on serving size including green onions




Let's Super Size it!!!


Do you deserve an extra treat?!?! Add a little Reduced Fat Cheddar to your potatoes before serving! MmmMmm Cheddar makes everything Better!

Cheese Please!

Add to Your Nutrition
Based on Sargento's Reduced Fat Cheddar (2% Milk)
Serving Size - Approx 1 Tbsp


Calories........................ 22.5

Fat................................ 1.5g

Protein.......................... 2g

Carbs............................ 0.5g

Sugar............................ 0g

Fiber............................. 0g



Fun Facts about Food:

 Did you know that Chives / Green Onions contain quercetin, an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals -- rogue molecules caused by stress, aging and environmental pollutants. They are also a good source of oliogosaccharides, carbohydrates that support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine which aids in digestion.


Did you know that Cauliflower is a great source of folate and Vitamin C which strengthens your immune system! This powerhouse vegetable is also an excellent source of source of two phytonutrients, sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which help fight against cancer! Go Fight Win! This little Veggie is a big Heart helper as well! We "heart" you Cauliflower!


Resources for Fun Facts about Food:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/422454-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-chives/

Elson Haas, M.D., author of "Staying Healthy with Nutrition,"

"Pharmacological Reports"; Antihypertensive effects of the flavonoid quercetin; Francisco Perez-Vizcaino et al.; 2009

Journal of Nutrition; Cruciferous Indole-3-Carbinol Inhibits Apolipoprotein B Secretion in HepG2 Cells; G.K. Maiyoh, J.E. Kuh, A. Casaschi and A.G. Theriault; October 2007

Journal of American Dietetic Association; Vegetables, Fruit, and Cancer Prevention: A Review; K.A. Steinmetz and J.D. Potter; October 1996

http://www.livestrong.com/article/22026-nutritional-value-cauliflower/#ixzz1uZbbUF3t

Cheers!

XOXO

Magan

Yours Truly!

(That's me in the white)