On Tuesday I made some admissions about hiding veggies. You may think I do that a lot. That is totally NOT what I am doing here…
I swear. The Bug and I love cauliflower. The Hubby, well, he eats it without complaint, so I’ll take that. He hasn’t banned it from the house, like Brussels sprouts. So why this Whipped Cauliflower Gratin?
I wanted mashed potatoes. And to be honest, I never want mashed potatoes, unless I am really going to fancy them up. But it was Valentine’s Day, and I was making an impromptu, totally unplanned, not at all thought-out special-ish dinner. You know you want to marry me when this…
is what you get for an impromptu, totally unplanned, not at all though-out special-ish dinner. Steak, asparagus, mashed potatoes – totally way-to-your-man’s-heart, classic steakhouse food! Buuutt, once again, gestational diabetes rears its ugly head, and potatoes can really only be consumed in small quantities. And I’m hungry. Enter Whipped Cauliflower Gratin…
And its virtual lack of carbohydrates. Score one for me! And this Whipped Cauliflower Gratin totally has the texture, and, quite honestly, a similar flavor to mashed potatoes. Now, I have made just plain whipped or mashed cauliflower before, and I would have called it a good cauliflower recipe, but something really entirely different from potatoes. This, I could probably fool my mashed potato obsessed mom or sister.
I mean really – look at them. You totally would have thought they were potatoes if I hadn’t told you…
Are you a mashed potato lover, or not so much? Have you ever tried cauliflower as a lighter substitute?
Whipped Cauliflower Gratin
Whipped Cauliflower Gratin is a delicious alternative to mashed potatoes that is simple enough for everyday, but fancy enough for a special meal.
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1/2 c plain Greek yogurt (I used Chobani 0% plain)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 c parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 T coarsely chopped chives (or more, if you like more oniony flavor)
- 1 t kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- paprika, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F, and lightly spray 4-6 ramekins (or one large casserole dish would probably work).
- Cut the cauliflower into large florets, discarding the tough stem, and steam over boiling water until very tender.
- While the cauliflower is steaming, place the Greek yogurt, egg, ¼ c of the parmesan cheese, chives, salt, and pepper into a blender or food processor, and process until thoroughly combined.
- Once the cauliflower is tender, add it to the contents of the blender or food processor, and puree until smooth.
- Divide the cauliflower mixture among the ramekins, and sprinkle with remaining parmesan, and paprika, if desired.
- Baked for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and browned on top.
Enjoy!
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I’ve done mashed cauliflower many times, but I’ve never thought about the gratin twist. Great idea!
It was Valentine’s Day, so it was nice to make it a bit more special!
I generally roast cauliflower, but this I have to try.
Yep, I usually roast it, too, but thought I would make it a little more special!
I love cauliflower. This is a brilliant way to prepare it!
Thanks! One of my favorite veggies, too!
this is smart idea- i would have never known. great for comfort food and special occasion 🙂
Thanks! Comfort food can be healthy, too!
Very cool! Adding these to next week’s menu.
Oooh, let me know what you think!
I love the idea of mashed cauliflower. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, though much better to do something to jazz it up a little!
I also am a diebetic and need to watch those carbs. I steam my cauliflower until it is tender, add a little butter to mash them like potatoes, add a tablespoon or 2 of sour cream and add salt, pepper, curry powder and a little cayenne pepper for a little pizzazz! No blender involved and very fast and easy to make!
That sounds great, too. I only started using curry powder recently!
YUMMY! I think my entire family will like these! I have this pinned and tweeted! Thanks for linking up at Gluten Free Fridays! See you this week!
Thanks! My family enjoyed it!
Also found this and loved the idea! Thanks!
Thanks!!
I just made this and it was delicious! I highly recommend this recipe. If you use one big pan it’ll take about 30-35 minutes to cook fully.
Thanks!
Bookmarked! This is immense, thanks!! With Christmas coming, I was fearing the annual barrage of potatoes with everything. This may well just cure that. In fact, this, cauliflower rice and cauliflower pizza bases might have solved the festive period.
Now, if I could just find a cauliflower substitute for the tubs of chocolate 😉
Haha! Something tells me that there is no acceptable substitute for chocolate, John. You might want to adventure into white chocolate covered cauliflower, though. 😉
I’d love an alternative to Au Gratin Potatoes, but my body can’t handle yogurt. I’ve tried yogurt three or four times, and each time, not only did it make me ill right away, but for the rest of the day. I’ve kept yogurt down when blended in a smoothie, but I was queasy all day afterwards.
Can you suggest a substitute for the yogurt? Thanks.
Rachel, there are a number of dairy-free yogurts available now. I know that Silk brand makes one. I hope you’re able to find one and try this recipe.