If you’re looking for a new side dish with a trusted, nutritional that vegetable we all love (cauliflower!) that happens to be delicious, then you’re at the right place!
This cauliflower dish is incredibly loaded with flavor and it’s very similar to mashed potatoes, without the starch. Although it is a lot like mashed spuds, it still has its own unique and wonderful taste. This is wonderful served with Honey Bourbon Baked Ham!
How To Make Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic
This dish is really surprisingly easy to put together.
There is just a little prep work and then the rest is a snap.
How To Roast Garlic
Roasting garlic has to be one of the simplest culinary creations of all time.
As the head of garlic gently roasts in a 350°F oven, the cloves are transformed into a buttery, milder garlic smear that is incredible.
EXPERT TIP: All you need to do is very carefully cut away the top of a head of garlic. Don’t worry if you don’t cut the tops off of every single clove. And don’t worry if some, or even most, of the cloves fall off. Place them all in a square piece of foil, squirt a little olive oil over them, wrap it up, and bake in the oven at 350°F for 1 hour.
How To Cut Up a Head of Cauliflower
Cutting up a head of cauliflower is very similar to cutting up a head of broccoli. By the way, cauliflower is loaded with nutritional value…read more about that here.
Very carefully, and slowly, cut away the core with a nice sharp, large knife.
IMPORTANT NOTE: ALWAYS keep the blade of the knife pointing away from your hand(s). You can also cut the cauliflower down the middle, and then start cutting away the core. Then, use your hands, or the help of your knife, to cut the cauliflower into small to medium-sized florets.
Now, it’s time to steam the cut cauliflower.
We love using our bamboo steamer, but any method you have for steaming will work perfectly.
You can even steam them in a pot with a small rack at the bottom and about 1 cup of water. Cover and steam over medium heat for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until soft.
Building Layers of Flavor
For ease, we place the steamed cauliflower into our large food processor. But you can also mash the mixture in a mixer, with a hand mixer, or even a wooden spoon and a good amount of elbow grease.
After the garlic has cooled enough for you to handle, use your fingers to squeeze the roasted garlic from the skins onto the steamed cauliflower.
EXPER TIP: The roasted garlic taste is not overpowering, however, if you make the mashed cauliflower a couple of days in advance, we do find that the garlic taste becomes a little more pronounced as it sits in the fridge.
Next, come the unsalted butter and the Parmesan cheese.
Then the broth. We use vegetable broth, but you could use chicken broth if you prefer. We find ¾ cup of broth makes the perfect consistency of the mashed cauliflower. But, pour some in, mash or purée, and then test consistency. Depending on how thin, or thick, you like your mash, will depend on how much broth you add.
Our Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic is great for the Keto diet. To make the dish vegan, simply use almond butter in place of the butter and Parmesan cheese.
When To Serve Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic
You can serve this dish as a substitute for any time you would be serving mashed potatoes.
It’s perfect for feasts, such as Thanksgiving, but it’s also so simple to prepare, it makes a wonderful side dish for a busy weeknight meal.
It also makes a wonderful complement to luxurious dishes such as Wagyu Smoked Beef Short Ribs (recipe to come). Just make a bed of the cauliflower on the plate, and then place the ribs over the top. Sublime.
No matter how you serve it, folks will be going back for more and more, it’s really that delicious.
This dish is unique and beautiful in presentation.
But more than anything, it’s just so flavorful and goes with many main dishes.
Aren’t you craving a bite right now?
Ready to make one of the most uniquely delicious side dishes of all time? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a picture, post it on Instagram, and tag @howtofeedaloon and hashtag #howtofeedaloon!
Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic
Equipment
- Steamer
Ingredients
- 1 head garlic cut the end off
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 heads cauliflower cored and cut into medium florets, about 8 cups
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter ½ stick
- ¾ cup vegetable broth or chicken broth/stock
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tbsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper ground
- ¼ tsp cayenne optional
- 1 tbsp chives chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Make the Roasted Garlic
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place cut garlic in foil and drizzle oil over the top. Wrap completely in foil and place in the preheated oven. Cook for 1 hour. Let cool enough to handle (can be made 1 day in advance).
Make the Mashed Cauliflower
- Steam the chopped cauliflower for about 20 to 25 minutes, until very soft.
- Place the steamed cauliflower into a large food processor or mixer. Squeeze the garlic from the skins onto the cauliflower. Add the butter, Parmesan cheese, broth, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Puree, or mix, until very smooth, about 15 to 25 seconds.
- Add the puréed cauliflower to the serving dish and garnish with a slice of butter and chopped chives.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in June 2014, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe, new tips and photography, and a fabulous new video in February 2021!
