Skinny Mashed Potatoes

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Mashed potatoes are one of my favorite things to eat on Thanksgiving, but this year since I am pregnant and on a really strict low carb diet (for my diabetes) real mashed potatoes are out (bummer).

I recently started researching alternatives to some of my favorite dishes because there is NO way my plate will be without a big ole pile of mash potatoes.

I came across this recipe that uses cauliflower instead of potatoes. Hmmm not a big cauliflower fan so I wasn't sure. If there is a choice of either celery or cauliflower in a veggie dish 9 times out of 10 I will choose the celery. BUT I decided to give it a try since the reviews were outstanding.

***BEST MOCK mashed potatoes I have ever had!***

What you will need:
  • 1 head of cauliflower
  • 1 tablespoon of cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 5 or so dashes of pepper
  • Chives for garnish
Directions:
  1. Wash and cut cauliflower into small pieces. Boil in a pot of water for about 10-15 minutes or until soft and cooked.
  2. Drain and dry using paper towels. Immediately place in food processor or blender. You do not want the cauliflower to cool.
  3. Puree the cauliflower with the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt and pepper.
  4. Sprinkle the top with chives and a few dashes of pepper. Serve!
These were seriously unbelievable! I will definitely be making these for Thanksgiving. They were creamy and smooth, just like mashed potatoes should be. Such a delicious alternative... plus you don't need to feel guilty if you go back for seconds or thirds since they are virtually carb free! This is also a great side dish to bring if you still plan on making the real thing.

84 comments:

Stephanie Shepherd said...

Okay, I am going to have to try these! I never even knew skinny and mashed potatoes could be in the same sentence but I think I like it.

Anonymous said...

I've been eating mashed potatoes this way for years now and I couldn't imagine going back to the traditional ones!

sherri lynn said...

I'm so glad you found an alternative that tastes good! They really do look like mashed potatoes! I should probably make these instead of the real thing since I do love going back for seconds :)

Anna Elder said...

I've been wanting to try this for awhile now. You always inspire me to cook so many different things!! Now the question is, will it fool my husband? Ha. probably not…but oh well. I'm gonna do it anyway!

Anonymous said...

i think if you didnt tell anyone... no one would know ! sounds really interesting and yummy!

Unknown said...

I've heard so much about califlower mashed potatoes! I'll definitely be trying them.

Thanks for posting!

Unknown said...

I didn't know you could make mashed potatoes from cauliflower! What!? I am super excited about this recipe.

♥Abbey
Along Abbey Road
My Memories Digital Scrapbook Giveaway!

Mindy said...

I'm a carb whore for sure, but I love me some cauliflower and this sounds delish. I've seen it a lot mixed with potatoes for a mash, but I don't think I've seen it straight cauliflower. I'm tryin' it.
You should try it roasted too! The taste is nothing like steaming it.
Have you had mashed parsnips? AMAZING!!! Seriously, you should check those out too if you're off the potatoes for awhile.

Erin said...

I definitely am going to try these!! Thank you!

Hilliary Meisner said...

I have made these before and was shocked at how they resemble the real thing! I think I will sneak these on my families Thanksgiving table this year! Have a great day!

Unknown said...

Those sound delicious. My friend Victoria always mixes celery root in with her mashed potatoes to tame the carb overload and up the veggies a little bit. I love cauliflower - looking forward to trying these :)

Megan and Justin said...

what an amazing alternative! ah! I have never tried there but they look delicious!

Unknown said...

LOVE it, you can fool your kidlets too.

Ruthy said...

Wow this is so awesome. I need to lose 10 lbs so I need to cut back on carbs so I am definitely going to give this recipe a try. They look just like the real thing. I might offer this for thanksgiving this year and not tell anyone after it is all gone. LOL.

Brittany Dawn said...

I'm going to have to try these! They sound so good! Thanks for sharing!!

Stephanie said...

YUM! I've always wanted to try this!

Alexa said...

My friend Paula made this for our "friend Thanksgiving" because her husband can't eat potatoes. It is a great substitute, if you can't have the real thing! xo

Jo-Anna@APrettyLife said...

What a great idea! I love cauliflower and will definitely try these! Yeeeeuuuuumm!
Jo-Anna

Sam W. said...

mmmm, great idea!! will definitely be trying soon :)

Lindsay said...

Skinny mashed potatoes?? I would love to give this a try. I am so glad you are finding things that will work with your strict diet. It's all going to be worth it when you have your sweet, healthy baby here!

Sarah said...

I never thought the words "skinny" and "mashed potatoes" could be in the same sentence, but you've given me hope =)

- Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com

fifi said...

OMG!!! i looove cauliflower! i am going to make this what a great healthier alternative!!

jessica // union shore said...

i've actually made these before... and i love them too! such a great alternative!

Tara {The Silver Lining} said...

I've seen recipes for "mashed potatoes" using cauliflower, but I still have never tried them. My husband doesn't really care for cauliflowers, so I wonder if he would eat them this way. I'll have to really try this recipe!

Unknown said...

YUM!!! I will have to try this one! If you like curry, you must try curried smashed cauliflower! You will love them :) Pretty simple - just steamed cauliflower, curry powder, butter, salt, oregano & a little half & half to make creamy...smash is all up and you are go to go :) xoxoxo brynn

Andrea @ Strawberry Chic said...

My cousin made me a similar recipe a little while ago, and I agree, they are the best mashed potato alternative out there! Thanks for posting the recipe, I've been wanting to make a batch for myself!

Michelle said...

I've made this before - it is soooooooo surprisingly good. Even my parents, who are the definition of "meat and potato" eaters, LOVED them. I have issues with dairy so I used light mayo instead of cream cheese and it was still creamy with a little kick.

henning love said...

that recipe looks amazing and definitely skinny mashed potatoes and i bet no one would be able to tell the difference!

SHUG IN BOOTS {Beth} said...

Yay! I will definitely be making these and bringing them to Thanksgiving at the hubs' family get together. I will probably be sneaky and not tell anyone what they are and wait for their reaction. Yay for them being virtually carb free! I'm not expecting (yet), but I am trying to be kind to my diabetes so I can get a bomb diggity a1c as soon as possible! Thanks for all your comments on my blog! I'm SO EXCITED to have found a Type 1 friend! I will be stalking your blog tonight. :)Congrats on your SECOND baby! What an inspiration! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow this is seariously great!


Daisy Girl

Heather @ Finding Beauty in the Ordinary said...

what an awesome recipe!
thanks, my dear friend! xo

Sarah Roads said...

I make these, and I LOVE them. Never even liked cauliflower before this dish. Yum.

mrs.natu said...

very yummy recipe! :)

... said...

I am obsessed with mashed potatoes...and knowing that you can make a healthier alternative...well let's just say the button on my pants may stay fastened this THanksgiving! :)

Unknown said...

I actually love cauliflower! My sister makes some kind of cauliflower with alfredo sauce that is fantastic. I will have to try this recipe out!

Paula said...

how very sneaky!! I'm not a big fan of cauliflower either, but I might give this a try! :)

Kendra said...

Wowzers, I'll have to give this a try!

Domesblissity said...

Hi Lindsay! It seems like ages since I've commented on one of your blog posts. I'm sooooo so busy over here. I'm having a combined pirate birthday party for the kids this Sunday plus end of school and Kindy is approaching plus the weather is warming up etc etc. No rest for the wicked, hey?

Just wanted to say that cauliflower is one of my favourites. I also do it as rice. Just chop the floret part really finely, boil and serve as you would rice. Great for a low carb alternative.

Hope your morning sickness is subsiding?

Anne xx

Kelly Trepp - Author said...

I've made this before as a South Beach Diet recipe. Even my husband found it to be enjoyable. Quite surprising!

Tilly said...

wow...thats very new to me...interesting

Unknown said...

what a great recipe! i need to learn how to cook, and your blog is just awesome. i recently became a SAHM, and i am kind of useless in the kitchen right now... :)

love finding other mommy bloggers. :) following you and on twitter, too!

cheers,
jasmine

Traci said...

So funny that you're talking mashed potatoes. I saw in blogland yesterday the question "What's Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes?". My response was "Huh?". I've NEVER heard of having them on Thanksgiving. I did a poll on Facebook & all of my northern friends have them but only 2 southerners. I thought that was interesting. Anyway, I'll be trying this recipe. It sounds delish & I really like cauliflower.

Corilu Designs said...

I've been making mashed cauliflower for a while now because they are sooo delicious. I use goat cheese instead of cream cheese, they are to die for!!!!!

Michelle said...

Yum! These look delish! Adding it to my recipe to-do list!

Krissa said...

Just made these--yum!

staxlove said...

Made these for the first time tonight & I usually never comment on these recipes but WOW, these are WONDERFUL!!! I was skeptical at first but I just can't say enough good things about this dish! My boyfriend loved it just as much as I did! Forget regular mashed potatoes... I'm never going back! Thanks for making my night, I am going to share this with everyone!

Diana said...

I made these tonight! Yummy! Definitely hit the spot! Thanks for sharing!!

Diana said...

Oh! I added a bit of butter and cheddar cheese.. I loved it!

Twyla Shea said...

These are wonderful, however I don't know if I would call them "skinny". They are low-carb but one does have to keep the fat content of the cheese in mind. Awesome, awesome recipe though.

stepc said...

I must say that I tried these tonight and I am in heaven... I have been trying to lower my carb intake and these fit the bill.. I do however have one question, How many servings are there in this recipe?

NMSmith said...

Since I am diabetic (type II), I must eat low carb choices. My wife does this recipe with some real mashed potatoes mixed in. I haven't tried this in a blender, though. Thanks for the tip!

Nancy said...

Since I have been on the Dukan Diet I have missed potato, and this sounds like an awesome alternative, thanks!

Rebecca @ Herons Crafts said...

This is so delicious! Thanks for sharing! I am in love :)
heronscrafts.blogspot.com

ARABIAN COFFEES said...

Goodness, just stumbled onto this recipe by accident but going to have to try this now!

JoniW said...

I haven't had the best luck with boiling & mashing cauliflower. I might be too impatient.

So I tried roasting it and mashing it and it was wonderful. I love to eat roasted cauliflower, too, so it wasn't any easy choice to take it out of the oven early (before it starts to brown, but after it's nice and soft), but I did and I was glad. :D

SooperBrooke said...

I'm so happy right now! Tried this for the first time but will be making it long after I decide to eat a less restrictive low-carb diet. I used my rice/vegetable steamer to cook the cauliflower and used all ingredients listed plus about a tablespoon of butter. The garlic is what set these apart from restaurant versions. (didn't like Ruby Tuesday's nearly as much) Thanks for sharing, the leftovers will probably be my entire lunch tomorrow! Husband was shocked and loved, loved it!

Cathleen said...

This is the best thing I have seen all day! Wow, I love it!

Anonymous said...

Wow! This is pure genius - it looks so simple/easy to make, AND it's healthy for you! Plus, anything creamy is wonderful. :) Will definitely be making this tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Great recipe! To me it tastes like mashed potatoes!

http://lahealthyliving.com

Courtney said...

Huh. That sounds pretty good. I wonder if the leftovers can be made into pancakes. (I usually mix leftover mashed potato with some egg and a tiny bit of flour to make a batter--I'm sure something like chickpea flour would work. It might even work with just the egg.)

Courtney said...

Twyla Shea--

There's 1 T of cream cheese and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese for an entire head of cauliflower. Even if you ate the whole recipe by yourself, it would be in the neighborhood of 12-13 grams of fat.

Anonymous said...

I loved these!!!!! I used tofitti cream cheese and a little of olive oil vegan butter:)

Meenakshi said...

Ah! Never thought mashed potatoes can be made without potato. This is really innovative recipe. Kudos for the creativity.

Anonymous said...

Just made it. These really are delish! Thanks for the simple recipe.

Anonymous said...

Just made these last night, very good! The consistency is more like that of instant mashed potatoes, but if you eat them with a vegetable, you would barely tell the difference. Definitely helps with carb cravings!

Bia said...

You can also make a low cal version with turnips! :)

Aoife said...

Thank you for making life easier to stick to low carb diet! Yum

Melissa said...

This has definitely become a go-to for me! The consistency is much better than anything I'd ever guess could come from cauliflower. And great for a budget eater too. Thanks for sharing! :)

Anonymous said...

OMG These were Awesome. Only think I did different was use about a tablespoon of ranch dressing. (Didn't have creme cheese). Hint of cauliflower taste. My kids liked it better than mashed potatoes. My dr. said today I had to stay off potatoes. Perfect timing. Thanks for the excellent recipe.

Kate said...

I made these tonight and they were amazing! I forgot to buy parmesan, so substituted with a little grated colby cheese. I used it to top a shepherd's pie, and I'll never use potatoes for that again. My fussy eaters loved it, and I enjoyed a relatively guilt-free meal. Thanks for sharing the recipe! :)

Una said...

Awesome. My husband and I both loved this- and it's so easy!

katie said...

My boyfriend and I are having a mini-Thanksgiving dinner next Wednesday and I want to bring these (I think he'll love them!!) but he doesn't have a food processor and I'll be traveling 3 hours to see him, so I'm wondering if I can make these the night before and reheat them? Would they still be goo, or do they need to be fresh?

BARBEYAKI said...

You convinced me! Let's see if I get it passed the family with the same excitement I have. Thanks.

Unknown said...

This sounds yummy. Will try it tonight

Anonymous said...

OMG!!!I know this is a late comment lol but me and my dad just made these and these were A-MAZING!!!!!!! (BTW I sent you that email about the newspaper nails ;))

peter ojo said...

wow my mouth is watering now please i help

Hand Me Downs and Flip Flops said...

These are hands down the best mashed cauliflower I have made. I have tried several recipes. The cream cheese and food processor sealed the deal.

Unknown said...

I've always disliked cauli but I'm amazed how good this was, thank you so much, I've been converted!

Donne Roma said...

Great recipe! Thanks for posting!

MadhaviSharma said...

Love potatoes. Will surely try this!

Corina said...

I'm not a big fan of cauliflower either but I love mashed potato so I'm tempted to give these a try..

lintas resep masakan said...

So funny that you're talking mashed potatoes. I saw in blogland yesterday the question "What's Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes?". My response was "Huh?". I've NEVER heard of having them on Thanksgiving. I did a poll on Facebook & all of my northern friends have them but only 2 southerners. I thought that was interesting. Anyway, I'll be trying this recipe. It sounds delish & I really like cauliflower.

honey granola said...

Some people said that mashed potatoes is a traditional food. But I haven't tasted it. Actually I like cauliflower as one of ingredients cz it can defense the body from cancer.
With that recipe I will try to make healthy food like that. Thanks about the recipe.

♥ Maryfrances ♥ AKA Pramps! said...

Don't forget the "gravy"! I usually fry up some chicken tenders - NO flour, just some spices over the chicken, in melted butter - and the leftover bits at the bottom of the pan I add some chicken stock. Scrape the bits and let this reduce a bit. I then add some cream cheese. Use a whisk... it will look awful at first, but keep whisking. Add some heavy whipping cream and whisk until smooth. You can do the same thing when you fry up a steak, just use beef stock instead of chicken. I also add in a slice of good quality sharp american cheese to thicken it up for both gravies. It's to die for over those mock mashers. <3

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