Mashed Cauli-Potatoes

Mashed Cauli-Potatoes.  Mashed Cauliflower is mixed with mashed potatoes and blended together with butter, half and half and salt to create a creamy and velvety new mashed potatoes and tastes like your favorite mashed potatoes but with an extra bonus!

The taste of cauliflower is completely hidden in these mashed potatoes, giving that extra bonus, plus cauliflower as we all know is loaded with antioxidants that fights cancer. Clever way to hide them! They are so good, we think they will trump any mashed potatoes out there!

My friend Nicole stopped by one day with a container filled with her creamy mashed  potatoes, and while I was enjoying some, she tells me they were blended with mashed cauliflower.  My reaction?  WOW!  I had no idea and couldn’t tell the difference.

In fact, I thought to myself – this is genius!  Nicole makes it often for her twins, mainly to disguise the cauliflower in order to get them to eat extra veggie nutrients.  I have to tell you- it tasted amazing!  Just like you’re eating the basic mashed potatoes.

We love cauliflower and always try to think of new ways to cook or incorporate this wonderful vegetable in side or main dishes.

Here’s how you do it. Simply rinse, cord and break off the florets of the cauliflower. Boil for a few minutes, drain and mash them. In the same time, boil your favorite white potatoes, drain and mash.  Mix the two together along with butter, half and half and season with salt to taste.

Then blend with a hand mixer until you get a smooth creamy texture.

You will love the fact that you are giving your family all the nutrients that both cauliflower and potatoes offer, as it offers less starch in each serving.

After one taste, you’ll be hooked! They are that good!

Mashed cauliflower with potatoes or mashed potatoes with cauliflower, whichever you may call this, you’ll have to try it!   It makes a wonderful side dish to serve with your favorite roast with brown gravy for this season.  And, who knows, it may be your new favorite side dish for this holiday season.  A definite keeper!

Thanks Nicole!

 Mashed Cauli-Potatoes

• 1 small head cauliflower (or 1/2 of medium), cut into florets only
• 4 medium Yukon potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 4 Tbsp. (1/2 stick) salted butter
• 1/2 cup half-and-half cream
• salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

Bring a medium size pot filled half way with water to boil, add cauliflower florets and cover with a lid.  Simmer on a low boil for 15 minutes, or until cauliflower is tender (cauliflower is ready when a fork can slide easily through).  Remove and drain.
Mash with a potato masher.  Set aside.

Meantime, in another medium pot, filled 1/2 way with water, bring to boil, add the potatoes and simmer on a low boil for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft and tender.  Drain and return potatoes back into the pot.  Add butter and half and half. Mash the potatoes.

Transfer the mashed cauliflower into the pot with mashed potatoes. Mix to combine. Taste, and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Final step, use an electric hand mixer and blend together for about 2 minutes until you get a creamy, smooth and velvety texture. (You may add more milk or half and half to get the consistency you prefer). Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.  Or cover to keep warm until ready to serve.

Yields: 6 to 8 servings