Healthy in a Holiday Hurry: Cauliflower Mash: A Twist on the Traditional Mash Potatoes Side Dish

Here the recipe that I love to bring to my family’s Thanksgiving Feast. I don’t know about the menu that is served at your Thanksgiving Dinner, but at our Thanksgiving Feast the food is endless. There are so many choices! We have so many people that gather around the table (or should I clarify and say tables), and everyone likes to share their special side dish or dessert. This is one recipe that the “waist line watchers” in my family love to enjoy as a substitute for standard mashed potato casserole.
Herbed Cauliflower Mash
1 medium head of cauliflower Cooking Spray 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided
2 oz herbed goat cheese (divided) 1 Tbsp lite butter spread (i.e. Brummel and Brown)
1 leek, white only, diced 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 garlic glove (minced)
1 ½ cups 2% reduced fat milk 1 Tbsp flour 3 T chopped fresh parsley
Ground black pepper to taste
1). Pre-heat oven to 400° F. 2). Place cauliflower in 2 qt. broiler safe baking dish lightly coated with cooking spray; coat cauliflower with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt; toss. Bake for 30 minutes or until tender. Cool 5 minutes. 3). Preheat broiler. 4). Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 oz cheese and leek. 5). Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion to pan; sauté 4 minutes or until almost tender, stirring frequently. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk; bring to a boil. Cook 3 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add remaining cheese, remaining salt, parsley, and pepper. Pour milk mixture over cauliflower mixture; toss. Top evenly with cheese mixture. Broil 3 minutes or until golden brown and thoroughly heated. Makes 8 servings (1/2 cup)
Calories: 84, Fat 3.5 g, Protein 5 gm, Carbs 9 gram, Fiber 2 gram.
Here are a few other ideas of foods to serve for the family “waist watcher” during the holiday season:
• Raw vegetables served with hummus as an alternative to cheese and crackers
• Steamed green beans tossed with a lemon juice and sprinkled with slivered almonds as an alternative to green bean casserole
• Pumpkin Pie as a lower calorie alternative to Pecan Pie
• Sparkling watered served with splash of fresh grapefruit juice and garnished with fresh mint as an alternative to alcoholic beverages