Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic
Cuisine: American
Categories: Vegetarian, Side Dishes & Vegetables
Recipe Source: Garlic and Zest
Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. This dish features tender cauliflower florets roasted to perfection with garlic, then mashed to a creamy consistency. The roasted garlic infuses the cauliflower with a rich, savory flavor that's simply irresistible.
Difficulty: EASY
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Serving Size: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 cauliflower whole head, separated into florets
- 1 garlic whole bulb
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons thyme fresh chopped
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Slice about 1/4" from the head of garlic and drizzle olive oil over the exposed cloves.
- Wrap garlic in aluminum foil and roast for 40-50 minutes, until soft. Remove from oven and cool until you can handle it.
- Meanwhile, set a vegetable steamer into a pot or saucepan with a lid. Add an inch of water to the pot and fill the steamer basket with the cauliflower florets.
- Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Cook cauliflower until very tender (so that when you pierce it with a knife it goes in and comes out easily without catching), about 10 minutes.
- Transfer cauliflower to a food processor. Squeeze the individual cloves of roasted garlic into the cauliflower.
- Add the thyme and secure the lid on the food processor. Pulse the cauliflower mixture until there are no lumps and it's smooth like mashed potatoes. This may take a few minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste & serve.