Imagine diving into a cloud-like, luxuriously creamy side dish that tricks your taste buds into believing you're indulging in traditional mashed potatoes - but without the heavy calories or dairy! This Vegan Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic is about to revolutionize your dinner plate, offering a nutritious, flavor-packed alternative that will make even the most dedicated potato lovers do a double-take. Get ready to transform a humble cauliflower into a restaurant-worthy sensation that's not just healthy, but incredibly delicious!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 whole bulb garlic, roasted
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the top off the whole garlic bulb, exposing the cloves, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Wrap the garlic bulb in aluminum foil.
- Place the wrapped garlic in the preheated oven and roast for 35-40 minutes, until the cloves are soft and golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- While the garlic is roasting, wash the cauliflower and cut it into evenly sized florets. Ensure the pieces are roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 10-12 minutes until they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Drain the cauliflower in a colander and return it to the pot. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins directly into the pot with the cauliflower.
- Add the unsweetened almond milk, remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper to the pot. Use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the cauliflower until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If the mixture seems too thick, add a little more almond milk. If too thin, continue cooking to reduce.
- Transfer the mashed cauliflower to a serving dish. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, fresh herbs, or cracked black pepper if desired. Serve hot.
Tips
- Roasting the garlic is crucial - it transforms the flavor from sharp to sweet and mellow, adding depth to your dish.
- Ensure your cauliflower florets are similar in size for even cooking and consistent texture.
- Don't rush the mashing process. For the creamiest results, use an immersion blender or food processor instead of a traditional potato masher.
- If you want extra richness, substitute almond milk with coconut milk for a more indulgent flavor.
- For added nutrition, try sprinkling nutritional yeast on top for a cheesy-like flavor without dairy.
- Let the cauliflower cool slightly before mashing to prevent splattering and achieve the perfect smooth consistency.
- Season generously - cauliflower absorbs flavors well, so don't be shy with salt, pepper, and herbs.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 70kcal
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
