Salvaging Mock Mashed Potatoes

gerripho
gerripho Posts: 479 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I tried to make mock mash potatos with califlour, cream cheese, garlic and a bit of butter. Every recipe I found says no one can tell the difference between the califlour and "real" mashed potatoes. I didn't realize until after I started cooking the califlour that every single recipe I could find says to use a food processor. I don't own one. I tried the mixer and it didn't work. Then I tried the blender and it only worked if I put in a cup or less. Okay, some eight batches later, I have this puree of califlour, cream cheese, garlic and butter that taste exactly like califlour, cream cheese, garlic and butter! Do I put it in the trash or is there something else I can do to make it give up the califlour taste?
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Replies

  • bearwith
    bearwith Posts: 525 Member
    leave it for a while and it might thicken. Add some cornflour.

    Otherwise, use it as a white sauce for some mixed veggies it will be yum.
  • nataliefamily3
    nataliefamily3 Posts: 189 Member
    This time you may be out of luck. Next time add 1 or 2 potatoes in for a better texture. Sounds like you may have added too much liquid. Do you not like cauliflower normally?
  • MadeToCraveHIM
    MadeToCraveHIM Posts: 213 Member
    Try to grate the cauliflower next time and then mash. It will still taste like cauliflower, but there won't be much of a texture difference. You can also do a "Mock" Mac & Cheese w/ cauliflower too. Take steamed cauliflower and mash it w/ butter, layer in a 8inch square pan and then top with cheese (reduced fat sharp cheddar is what I use). It's really tasty and low carb.
  • minsch
    minsch Posts: 144 Member
    maybe boil a couple of potatoes....mash them in?
  • terijoestoes
    terijoestoes Posts: 205 Member
    Cook some whole wheat elbow macaroni then add a little more cheese lowfat of course. Add all to your mixture. S &p to taste makes great Mac n cheese. Cauili mashed "potatoes " is never going to taste like mashed potatoes. If you don't like the taste of caulk ummmm?
  • meredith1123
    meredith1123 Posts: 843 Member
    Interesting.
    I did mine by hand with a hand masher.......
    and they did just fine.
    i dont use cream cheese though. too much fat.
    I only use spray butter, a tad of salt, pepper and maybe some garlic cloves mashed with the cauliflower.
  • msbunnie68
    msbunnie68 Posts: 1,894 Member
    Just a question...

    ...why are you trying to make cauliflower into potatoes?
  • freasabreze
    freasabreze Posts: 97 Member
    Interesting.
    I did mine by hand with a hand masher.......
    and they did just fine.
    i dont use cream cheese though. too much fat.
    I only use spray butter, a tad of salt, pepper and maybe some garlic cloves mashed with the cauliflower.


    What she said
  • suzy1220
    suzy1220 Posts: 118 Member
    Why not just have the real thing? Real potato's aren't that bad if you don't load them up. A little of Brummel & Brown (which is delicious), salt and pepper is around 150 calories. Or add cooked broccoli and some cheese. Even Hormel Real Bacon Bits are only 45 for a tablespoon and that's a pretty decent amount for one potato. Or for a more main meal have a potato with chili on it. That's what I do whenI go to Wendy's- get a plain backed potato and a small cup of chili. Filling and delicious!

    As for your mash, maybe over steam some broccoli, mash it up with a fork or potato masher, put in some chicken broth, cheese, add it to your cauliflower and make it a soup?
  • gerripho
    gerripho Posts: 479 Member
    Thanks, everyone. I actually love califlower, but not when I'm told they it taste like potatoes. And I was doing this to save on carbs. I like the idea of turning this into mac and cheese. It should be good with sharp cheddar. Thanks, Suzy, the soup sounds good, too. Now I have two things to try.
  • suzy1220
    suzy1220 Posts: 118 Member
    I get wanting to cut the carbs but for me I could not realistically do that for the rest of my life and I am really trying to eat things that I will want to/be able to eat forever. I know if I cut out or drastically reduce any one food group I would never be able to maintain that for the long haul. And I would probably start gaining if I added them back when I hit my goal. Losing the weight is actually the easy part, maintaining is the hard part!

    I've been trying to approach this by creating a realistic food plan using food and ingredients that I will continue to want to eat. If it involves carbs, or dairy, or whatever, I'm going to have it because it's food that I know I will want to continue to eat. I am trying to lighten up dishes so that I can have bigger portions of them because if I'm not feeling full I'm going to eat all of the wrong things.

    Totally off your original topic, :happy: just something to think about before you drastically reduce or cut out any one food group! Good luck to you!
  • oneheckavagirl
    oneheckavagirl Posts: 20
    So maybe next time, since you DO like cauliflower, just steam and add cheddar cheese to melt. Sounds good to me. Baking it to put a crust on top might help too. Everyone contributing above had some really good ideas.
  • guinnessstella
    guinnessstella Posts: 9 Member
    I make this but mix cauliflower and potatoes - sooo yummy! I use a potato ricer but probably a hand potato masher would work too. I add low fat roasted garlic / herb cream cheese.

    I've also used cauliflower to make alfredo sauce. Boil/steam cauliflower in chicken broth (or veggie broth), puree and add parmesan cheese.
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    Just a question...

    ...why are you trying to make cauliflower into potatoes?

    Wondered this myself.
  • altinker
    altinker Posts: 173
    Maybe you can make a roux and add your cauliflower mixture to it to make it into a cream of cauliflower soup? I mean, you do need a tablespoon or two of flour to do that, but it is probably better than potatoes on carbs. I don't know that the texture/taste of what you are making is going to trick you into thinking you are eating potatoes.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    Just a question...

    ...why are you trying to make cauliflower into potatoes?

    She's not. It's "mock" mashed potatoes. Are you trying to ask why she is making a substitution dish?

    It's actually delicious and easier to fit into some people's diaries given their cal/macros.

    OP, did you cook the cauliflower enough? It should be "mashable" once cooked. I boil them in water with some chopped onion, garlic salt, and pepper until extremely tender. Then I drain and add half a can of cream of mushroom soup and maybe a tbsp of butter. Mash all together until smooth, microwave until very hot and serve.
  • MizTerry
    MizTerry Posts: 3,763 Member
    That was incredibly funny!!!

    Save it and add it to soups or other dishes a little at a time.
  • GiGiBeans
    GiGiBeans Posts: 1,062 Member
    Make it into soup. If you're low carb use half & half watered down 50% instead of milk and sprinkle some bacon bits on top.
    http://localfoods.about.com/od/winter/r/CauliflowerSoup.htm
  • baja572
    baja572 Posts: 94
    instant potatoes might help
  • jcutler61
    jcutler61 Posts: 1
    Make sure the cauliflower is as dry as possible, and was it completely done cooking? I don't add the cream cheese either, I also use the spray butter, salt and pepper and I used a hand mixer..Just had it tonigh and it turned out great.
  • maremare312
    maremare312 Posts: 1,143 Member
    The people that are saying it tastes like real potatoes are lying/exaggerating. It might be an ok substitute if they've stopped eating potatoes, but it's cauliflower and it's going to taste like cauliflower (which I personally love, but it's not potatoes).
  • svalenzeno
    svalenzeno Posts: 23 Member
    You could also try and turn it into a soup! I recently made a cream of roasted cauliflower soup and it was delicious! Maybe add some milk and chicken stock until you have the proper consistency. If you have a stick blender, those are amazing for making soups... definitely one of my favorite kitchen tools. Otherwise, I also think the mac n' cheese idea could be yummy.
  • missmegan831
    missmegan831 Posts: 824 Member
    If you dont like cauliflower.. you probably will NOT like mock potatoes made from cauliflower.. even in the food processor it still has the taste of cauliflower somewhat... because IT IS cauliflower.. you can salvage it by adding some instant mashed potatoes thou.. good luck
  • corneredbycorn
    corneredbycorn Posts: 267 Member
    Cauliflower mashed fauxtatoes are gross. Just set it on fire.
  • JaceyMarieS
    JaceyMarieS Posts: 692 Member
    Cauliflower mashed fauxtatoes are gross. Just set it on fire.

    I have to agree. I tried several different methods and all have a weird texture. I WANT to like them. I LOVE cauliflower and I make cauliflower pizza crust, loaded faux-tatoes, cauliflower muffins, cauliflower mac and cheese ...and the delicious list goes on and on. Only the mashed cauliflower continues to thwart me.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    cauliflower tastes nothing like potatoes. the people who say mashed cauliflower tastes like mashed potatoes are either deluding themselves or have sh*tty tastebuds

    with that said, i love cauliflower so i also like mashed cauliflower.

    but you're not going to get a cauliflower to taste like a spud :wink:
  • jjrichard83
    jjrichard83 Posts: 483 Member
    If you don't have a processor, cook the cauliflower till soft. Mash them, then heat up again in the pot, mixing everything else in, then use an egg beater to smoothen them out. It should work perfect!
  • beadybliss
    beadybliss Posts: 12
    Mashed cauliflower is NOT mashed potatoes, true, but it is a lower calorie version of a mash you can serve as a side or as a meal - I will use this for a side with my pork tenderloin dish.

    The trick is to boil (not steam) the cauliflower well and drain well before mashing. In the UK, we have jellied stock cubes that really add flavour.

    Bon apetit!
  • Vailara
    Vailara Posts: 2,467 Member
    These days, I usually have mashed carrot and swede instead of mashed potato. It doesn't taste like mashed potato, but it has a similar texture and "comfort food" feel - lovely with meat and gravy!
  • SRH7
    SRH7 Posts: 2,037 Member
    I think it has all been said, but pureed/mashed cauli still tastes like cauli. If I were you I'd just add a bit of cheese, some pan-fried chicken or salmon fillet, a few more pre-cooked veg (frozen peas or sweetcorn would work), a bit more cheese grated on top then all baked in the oven.

    I actually like mock mash but find it gets jammed under the blades if I try to use the blender to prepare it so I have to use my food processor to get it smooth. It always comes out really sloppy, like a puree, and is lovely although nothing like proper potato mash.

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