Mashed Garlic Cauliflower

One food item I have never heard anyone say they disliked...ever...is mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes are delicious. Chunky, creamy, soft, smooth, buttery...I could go on and on. Last Thanksgiving, some family was over and my aunt was on a low calorie/low fat/low carb diet. Aka, low anything-thats-thanksgiving diet. Talk about a mood kill. She was supposed to bring the mashed potatoes....did she? No. Everyone else upon hearing this disturbing news break, had a mix of emotions ranging from sad, mad, disappointed, in disbelief, annoyed...any emotion besides happiness you can think of was present.

Instead, she brought over her "famous" mashed cauliflower. And there it was. Insult to injury. Take away out mashed potatoes on one of the few days of the year we can eat whatever we want and replace it with mushy VEGETABLES?! 

Preposterous.

Until I unwillingly tried them.

They were great. My aunts mock mashed potatoes were unbelievable. Now, don't get me wrong...nothing can replace mashed potatoes for me, but these tasted surprisingly delightful. Some garlic, some butter, little salt, little pepper. I've made them since then, and not only are they tasty, they are easy, CHEAP to make, and very low carb. 

Wouldn't even know they were once broccoli's first cousin, would you?

What You'll Need:

Altered the recipe from Spark People

1 Medium head of Cauliflower

1 tsp Minced Garlic

Sprinkle of parsley or chives

Salt and pepper to taste

1 Tablespoon of margarine or butter (unsalted; opt for heart healthy)

Grated Parmesan Cheese

Cut off outside leaves, wash cauliflower and cut into quarters.
Place in a 1-quart sauce pan filled with cold water and boil until well done (should be soft)

In a small pan, sauté the garlic with a bit of either butter or olive oil
Drain water from cauliflower and add the butter and garlic
Mash like you would with potatoes until light and fluffy
Sprinkle with parsley and salt and pepper to taste

Pinch of cheese on top.

Enjoy You SkinnyMinis!

xox

Average Cost for all Ingredients:

$9

Cost Per Serving:

1 Cup

$2.25

Nutritional Information:

Calories- 45

Fat- 4g

Cholesterol- 8mg

Sodium- 33mg

Carbs- 4g

Fiber- 2g

Protein- 1.5g