Chicken Dinner (reprise) With Cauliflower Mash

In my refrigerator I have a whole organic chicken and a head of cauliflower.  These simple ingredients, plus some kitchen staples will be tonight’s dinner:  my standard roasted chicken with onions, and mashed cauliflower that rivals real mashed potatoes.  The mash is low-carb, but by no means low-fat; it’s a bit of cream cheese that gives some heft to this puree, with butter and parm for additional depth of flavor.  Of course, for dessert, there’s still a lot of tres leches cake!

The mash is easier to make than mashed potatoes– no peeling!  You boil cut up cauliflower until it’s for tender (in half the time it takes for potatoes).  If I’m in the mood, I’ll throw some chicken base or bouillon cubes in with the boiling water for some extra flavor.  Then you drain the florets, mash and season.  It’s fast, easy and best of all, a vegetable!

Cauliflower Mash

• 1 head of cauliflower, leaves and core removed, then cut into florets
• chicken bouillon or stock base to flavor the boiling water (optional)
• 1 -2 TB softened cream cheese (depends on how much cauliflower you end up having)
• 2 TB unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 c grated Parmesan
• salt and pepper to taste

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil.  Salt or add chicken bouillon/stock base, stir to dissolve, then add the cauliflower pieces.

I just add the stock base (I use Knorr bouillon or a product called “Better Than Bouillon”) until it tastes right to me!

Boil the florets for 7 to 10 minutes or until fork tender.

This shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes

Drain the cauliflower into a colander, shaking well to remove excess water.  Return the cauliflower to the original pan, letting the residual heat further evaporate any water.

Shake the florets around– I do this to dry out boiled potatoes, too!

Mash the cauliflower (if you want a smoother mash, you can use a food processor to puree), then add the cream cheese

Mash as fine or chunky as you want (just like your potatoes)!

and butter.

As I said earlier, this is NOT a low-fat side dish!

Stir until blended, then add the parmesan.

We’re addicted to real Parm, so it goes into just about every vegetable dish I make

Taste and correct seasoning.

Is it cauliflower or mashed potatoes?