Mashed Cauliflower
- 1 large head cauliflower. About 6 cups of flowerets
- 4-6 cloves garlic, peeled
- ¼ cup butter or extra virgin olive oil + ¼ cup if roasting
- ¼ cup cream
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
Clean cauliflower, remove the core and break into 1-2 in flowerets pieces.
Cook Cauliflower: Choose your desired cooking method, I like roasting best for flavor but this method takes longer. If you are shot on time try boiling or microwaving.
Roast: Heat the oven to 375 degrees, place prepared cauliflower flowerets and peeled garlic in a roasting pan, drizzle with extra ¼ cup butter or olive oil and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, stir to coat. Place pan in the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes until tender. (covered un covered?)
Boil: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon salt to the water. Add prepared cauliflower flowerets and garlic. Boil for 7-10 minutes until tender.
Steam: 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 15 minutes.
Microwave: on high for 4-8 min until cooked and tender (covered un covered?)
Remove cauliflower from the chosen cooking method and place in a bowl. Combine with remaining butter or oil, cream cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Mash with a potato masher or two large forks to get desired consistency.
For a smoother mash place half of the cauliflower mixture with the butter/oil, cream and cheese in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. (a blender will be smoother than a food processor) then combine with the remaining half of the cauliflower to mix and mash together to achieve desired consistency.
For a smooth puree add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor. Again a food processor will not be completely smooth. Add additional cream or milk to tin down and reach desired consistency
To make a cauliflower Gratian: cook and process cauliflower as desired, place in a buttered baking dish and top with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes until hot and broil for the last 5 minutes to brown the cheese on top.
Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
