Versatile Vegetable

Cauliflower is pretty cool. I mean, it is fantastic raw dipped in a little ranch dressing. It is great cooked (steamed or boiled). It is awesome roasted. Don't get me started on cauliflower au gratin. Oh, and you can mash it too! How cool is that?

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

Ingredients:

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, smashed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup milk, or more, as needed

Directions:

Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add cauliflower, cover, and steam until tender, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat; cook and stir garlic until softened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Transfer half the cauliflower to a food processor; cover and blend on high. Add remaining cauliflower florets, one at a time, until vegetables are creamy. Blend in garlic, Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, salt, and black pepper.

Source: Allrecipes.com, submitted by Andie. You can find it here.

Notes: I don't have a steamer (I need to get one), so I boiled my cauliflower until it was tender. I also don't have a food processor (the motor died on mine, so I need to get another). So, I made this in the blender. It worked, but I had to help it out with a spoon and I had to add some milk (not called for in the original recipe) to get it to blend. Even so, this was fantastic! A great way to change up your vegetable side dishes.