How to make fake mashed potatoes

Cauliflower can be used as a subsitute for potatoes.

A host of low-carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkins diet, the Shwarzbein principle and the Harvey-Banting diet, all have mashed potatoes on their lists of prohibited food. If you get hit with a sudden and intense craving for this banned comfort food, a good fake mashed potato recipe will likely hit the spot. Cauliflowers make a surprisingly satisfying substitute for potatoes when combined with a few simple ingredients. While many faux mashed potato recipes call for heavy cream, low-fat cream cheese is a tasty alternative that contains less fat and fewer calories.

Things You'll Need

• Strainer
• Medium sized pot
• Food processor
• Spatula
• Medium-sized serving bowl
• 1 medium cauliflower
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 tbsp. softened low-fat cream cheese
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 tsp. minced garlic (optional)
• Grated Parmesan (optional, to taste)
• Garnish (i.e. chopped chives, rosemary)

Instructions

How to Make Fake Mashed Potatoes

1. Wash and strain the cauliflower thoroughly. Chop cauliflower into small pieces. Fill the pot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Put cauliflower into the boiling water and let cook for around six minutes until tender.

2. Quickly strain the cauliflower so that it does not cool. Put cauliflower into the food processor along with the butter, cream cheese, salt, pepper and any of the optional ingredients you want to include.

3. Puree the cauliflower mixture until it is very creamy and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the food processor a few times while pureeing to ensure that all of the cauliflower chunks are properly broken down.

4. Pour the finished mixture into a serving bowl, and make sure to scrape out all of the faux potatoes with the spatula. Top with desired garnish and serve hot.

Tips & Warnings

• Rosemary will give fake potatoes an entirely different taste; try it out on a small portion to see if you enjoy it before mixing into an entire batch.

• Don't skimp on the butter or your faux potatoes will not be rich enough to taste like the real thing.

References

• Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipies: Faux Mashed Potatoes
• The Food Network: "Mock" Garlic Mashed Potatoes; George Stella

Resources

• Low Carbs 101 - Your Guide to Low Carbs, Low Carb Foods and Low Carbs Recipes