Mashed up Cauliflower with Cheese

This is just a great little side dish. It’s wonderful on those days that you are just potatoed out, when you have mashed and baked and fried them to death and are looking for something different.

It’s a simple recipe and requires no special ingredients (though you could probably add all kinds of spices to alter it to a specific meal).

So do consider doing something with that sad little cauliflower that sits on the shelf in the grocery story begging to be adopted by somebody.

It should be kid friendly in case that matters.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 head of cauliflower, roughly chopped.
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 c cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 c cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 c shredded Parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 scallion in thin, thin slices

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place the cauliflower in salted water and cook until just fork tender.
2. Drain and return to the pot over the turned off burner to further dry.
3. Pour the cauliflower into a food processor and add the rest of the ingredients except the scallion.
4. Puree
5. Adjust seasonings.
6. Scatter the scallions across the top.

SERVES: 6

NOTES: You can do this with a potato masher for a more rustic dish. Also consider using other cheeses and perhaps nutmeg or other fresh herbs.

SOURCE: Adapted from Griffin’s Grub

Related articles

• Garlic Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower (hugsnkitchen.com)
• Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower (Emma’s Favorite) (kelseymossberg.wordpress.com)
• Cauliflower Leek Mash (crescentskinny.com)
• Broccoli and Cauliflower Mash (peakperformanceforeverydayliving.wordpress.com)

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Sausage-Cauliflower Cheese Bake

I’m a big fan of comfort food. I figure you should eat some about once a week.

This definitely fits the bill. It’s brought to you by Tracy Joyner at JustaPinch.

I changed things up a bit, but the basics are hers. You can add a lot of twists on this recipe, which always keeps it fresh.

Since my husband adores cauliflower with a cheese sauce, this recipe really is a home run because it works as a main dish.

So do enjoy it.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lg head of cauliflower
• 1 medium onion
• 3 tbsp canola oil
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 1/2 c milk
• 3 c shredded cheese (cheddar)
• salt
• peppeR
• 1 lb of any sausage you enjoy. I used smoked kielbasa

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut up the cauliflower into the florets. Throw in a plastic bag.
2. Slice up the onion and add to the bag.
3. Pour in about 3 tbsp of oil, and massage until the veggies are coated.
4. Spread on a baking sheet and roast until done about 40 minutes, turning once. (just fork tender)
5. Make your white sauce (bechamel) by making a roux of the flour and butter, and then adding the milk, bringing to a boil and stirring until it’s thickened.
6. Add the cheese.
7. Roughly cut up the cauliflower into bite-size pieces. Add with the onion to a casserole dish.
8. Slice the kielbasa into diagonal pieces and layer on top.
9. Pour the cheese sauce on top.
10. Place in a 375° oven for 30 minutes, or until bubbly. Don’t over cook or your cauliflower will be mushy.

Serves: 4

NOTE: You can also add broccoli stalks or tops if you prefer, corn, carrots, etc. as additional veggies. Vary the sausage of course as you wish, and consider using other cheeses as well.