Recipe for alfredo sauce that replaces some of the heavy cream with cauliflower?

kshama2001
kshama2001 Posts: 27,846 Member
edited August 2019 in Food and Nutrition
I bought an enormous head of cauliflower last weekend and have already made Buffalo Cauliflower and Cauliflower Mac & Cheese. I still have two pounds of raw cauliflower left. My OH and I have heard Oprah's commercial where she is pitching her Chicken Alfredo. I'm looking for a recipe for that, but all I am finding for cauliflower + alfredo recipes are vegan. I want to reduce the dairy, not eliminate it.

Here's her product https://www.othatsgood.com/products/chicken-alfredo-skillet

In lieu of an actual recipe, I'm thinking of taking my Joy of Cooking fettuccine alfredo recipe that has butter, Parmesan, and heavy cream, and replacing half of the heavy cream with pureed cauliflower, as that seems to be what the Oprah product is suggesting they do, although I bet they reduce the butter and parm as well.

I realize this won't use up a lot of cauliflower and have Cauliflower-Crusted Quiche on deck next. Was going to make that next but OH mentioned the alfredo. (He won't eat just plain cauliflower.)

Replies

  • duskyjewel
    duskyjewel Posts: 286 Member
    edited August 2019
    Try these two recipes to use up some cauliflower. The first one is so simple you would think it would be bland but it's actually amazing. The second one is good enough that my kids like it and cheer when I make it, but full disclosure my kids are veggie lovers.

    https://www.skinnytaste.com/dads-creamy-cauliflower-soup-1-p/

    https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-potato-soup/

    PS let us know how the cauliflower alfredo turns out, because I have never been able to come up with a lower fat alfredo that satisfies. When I want it, I just make the real thing and take the calorie hit.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,846 Member
    duskyjewel wrote: »
    Try these two recipes to use up some cauliflower. The first one is so simple you would think it would be bland but it's actually amazing. The second one is good enough that my kids like it and cheer when I make it, but full disclosure my kids are veggie lovers.

    https://www.skinnytaste.com/dads-creamy-cauliflower-soup-1-p/

    https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-potato-soup/

    PS let us know how the cauliflower alfredo turns out, because I have never been able to come up with a lower fat alfredo that satisfies. When I want it, I just make the real thing and take the calorie hit.

    Thanks! I will save those for Soup Season.
  • puffbrat
    puffbrat Posts: 2,806 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    I bought an enormous head of cauliflower last weekend and have already made Buffalo Cauliflower and Cauliflower Mac & Cheese. I still have two pounds of raw cauliflower left. My OH and I have heard Oprah's commercial where she is pitching her Chicken Alfredo. I'm looking for a recipe for that, but all I am finding for cauliflower + alfredo recipes are vegan. I want to reduce the dairy, not eliminate it.

    Here's her product https://www.othatsgood.com/products/chicken-alfredo-skillet

    In lieu of an actual recipe, I'm thinking of taking my Joy of Cooking fettuccine alfredo recipe that has butter, Parmesan, and heavy cream, and replacing half of the heavy cream with pureed cauliflower, as that seems to be what the Oprah product is suggesting they do, although I bet they reduce the butter and parm as well.

    I realize this won't use up a lot of cauliflower and have Cauliflower-Crusted Quiche on deck next. Was going to make that next but OH mentioned the alfredo. (He won't eat just plain cauliflower.)

    I don't think I have ever see a cauliflower that big. It must be impressive!

    I haven't made them but I found these recipes https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2013/05/06/creamy-cauliflower-alfredo-sauce/ https://www.rachelcooks.com/2015/03/04/skinny-alfredo-sauce-cauliflower/
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,874 Member
    Not Alfredo, but I watched this a few weeks ago and thought it looked good. They use a similar method to lighten the sauce for a gratin. https://youtu.be/8fGMzRMo96c
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,097 Member
    I have used some recipes from this site but haven't made her cauliflower alfredo sauce.

    https://www.cookingclassy.com/roasted-cauliflower-fettucine-alfredo/

    I have made this one though. I liked it.

    https://www.cookingclassy.com/light-fettuccine-alfredo/
  • missysippy930
    missysippy930 Posts: 2,577 Member
    Pretty hard to make good Alfredo sauce without cream. It’s one dish that isn’t in my rotation anymore. 🙁
    It would be interesting to hear how it turns out.
  • EHollander89
    EHollander89 Posts: 169 Member
    I've made this recipe I found on Pinterest, and I think it tastes pretty decent overall:

    https://pinchofyum.com/healthy-fettucine-alfredo

    The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of cream. Sometimes I add in a bit more :smile:
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,846 Member
    Pretty hard to make good Alfredo sauce without cream. It’s one dish that isn’t in my rotation anymore. 🙁
    It would be interesting to hear how it turns out.

    Not to worry, I am just reducing cream :)
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,846 Member
    edited August 2019
    puffbrat wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    I bought an enormous head of cauliflower last weekend and have already made Buffalo Cauliflower and Cauliflower Mac & Cheese. I still have two pounds of raw cauliflower left. My OH and I have heard Oprah's commercial where she is pitching her Chicken Alfredo. I'm looking for a recipe for that, but all I am finding for cauliflower + alfredo recipes are vegan. I want to reduce the dairy, not eliminate it.

    Here's her product https://www.othatsgood.com/products/chicken-alfredo-skillet

    In lieu of an actual recipe, I'm thinking of taking my Joy of Cooking fettuccine alfredo recipe that has butter, Parmesan, and heavy cream, and replacing half of the heavy cream with pureed cauliflower, as that seems to be what the Oprah product is suggesting they do, although I bet they reduce the butter and parm as well.

    I realize this won't use up a lot of cauliflower and have Cauliflower-Crusted Quiche on deck next. Was going to make that next but OH mentioned the alfredo. (He won't eat just plain cauliflower.)

    I don't think I have ever see a cauliflower that big. It must be impressive!

    I haven't made them but I found these recipes https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2013/05/06/creamy-cauliflower-alfredo-sauce/ https://www.rachelcooks.com/2015/03/04/skinny-alfredo-sauce-cauliflower/

    I should have taken a picture. It was over 4.5 pounds before I started cutting into it!

    Thanks!
  • goodasgoldilox165
    goodasgoldilox165 Posts: 333 Member
    We love this (cauliflower and) halloumi curry. No-one realises that it has cauli in it :)

    Halloumi curry
    Ingredients
    • 1 tbsp oil
    • 250g pack halloumi, cut into chunks
    • 2 onions, thinly sliced
    • 2 garlic cloves, grated
    • 3cm ginger, grated
    • 1 heaped tsp turmeric
    • 1 ½ heaped tsp chilli powder
    • 2 tsp garam masala
    • 1 cauliflower, cut into small florets
    • 1 ½ tbsp tomato purée
    • 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
    • 400ml coconut milk

    Method
    Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the halloumi for 4-5 mins, until golden all over. Set aside on a plate.

    Add the onion to the pan and cook for 4-6 mins, until it starts to soften.
    Stir in the garlic, ginger and spices, then the cauliflower, tomato purée, tomatoes and coconut milk.
    Simmer for 20-25 mins on a medium heat.

    Stir the halloumi through the curry to warm through, then serve on rice, garnished with the coriander.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,846 Member
    We love this (cauliflower and) halloumi curry. No-one realises that it has cauli in it :)

    Halloumi curry
    Ingredients
    • 1 tbsp oil
    • 250g pack halloumi, cut into chunks
    • 2 onions, thinly sliced
    • 2 garlic cloves, grated
    • 3cm ginger, grated
    • 1 heaped tsp turmeric
    • 1 ½ heaped tsp chilli powder
    • 2 tsp garam masala
    • 1 cauliflower, cut into small florets
    • 1 ½ tbsp tomato purée
    • 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
    • 400ml coconut milk

    Method
    Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the halloumi for 4-5 mins, until golden all over. Set aside on a plate.

    Add the onion to the pan and cook for 4-6 mins, until it starts to soften.
    Stir in the garlic, ginger and spices, then the cauliflower, tomato purée, tomatoes and coconut milk.
    Simmer for 20-25 mins on a medium heat.

    Stir the halloumi through the curry to warm through, then serve on rice, garnished with the coriander.

    Huh, I've never even heard of Halloumi cheese!

    Must not be a big thing in the US, judging from the prices on Amazon. I see Will Studd, Halloumi Aphrodite on Prime Now.

    My neighbor is Greek - I'll ask her if she's seen it at the Mediterranean store.
  • goodasgoldilox165
    goodasgoldilox165 Posts: 333 Member
    Halloumi is lovely. It is a folded cheese - from Cyprus (but also more widely in Greece and the Med). I think it is made in the UK now too. It BBQs (in cubes on a skewer just like meat/veg) because it stays pretty firm when hot. If you overcook it, it will become 'squeaky' - but still tastes good. In this curry it stays melty.
  • smithker75
    smithker75 Posts: 80 Member
    Halloumi is lovely. It is a folded cheese - from Cyprus (but also more widely in Greece and the Med). I think it is made in the UK now too. It BBQs (in cubes on a skewer just like meat/veg) because it stays pretty firm when hot. If you overcook it, it will become 'squeaky' - but still tastes good. In this curry it stays melty.

    Halloumi is very popular here in Australia too :)
  • Luke_rabbit
    Luke_rabbit Posts: 1,031 Member
    Being both lactose intolerant and unable to eat tomatoes, I have made several different white sauces without dairy for pasta dishes. I think the trick is to not call them "Alfredo" so the eaters won't be disappointed.

    I know the OP is only planning to replace some cream with cauliflower (which should be fine), but since other recipe links were shared, I thought my comment could be helpful for others.
  • missysippy930
    missysippy930 Posts: 2,577 Member
    edited August 2019
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Pretty hard to make good Alfredo sauce without cream. It’s one dish that isn’t in my rotation anymore. 🙁
    It would be interesting to hear how it turns out.

    Not to worry, I am just reducing cream :)

    I really have a craving for chicken Alfredo now. I think I’ll try one of these recipes this weekend. I’m not much of a pasta fan anyway, so I’ll just save out some of the sauce for myself to save some calories, and mix the pasta in with the rest for the family.
  • beaglady
    beaglady Posts: 1,362 Member
    I’ve made a decent Alfredo sauce using fat free cream cheese from Walmart, chicken or shrimp broth, garlic powder and a little bit of parm. I threw it together so there isn’t really a recipe.
  • duskyjewel
    duskyjewel Posts: 286 Member
    We love this (cauliflower and) halloumi curry. No-one realises that it has cauli in it :)

    Halloumi curry
    Ingredients
    • 1 tbsp oil
    • 250g pack halloumi, cut into chunks
    • 2 onions, thinly sliced
    • 2 garlic cloves, grated
    • 3cm ginger, grated
    • 1 heaped tsp turmeric
    • 1 ½ heaped tsp chilli powder
    • 2 tsp garam masala
    • 1 cauliflower, cut into small florets
    • 1 ½ tbsp tomato purée
    • 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
    • 400ml coconut milk

    Method
    Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the halloumi for 4-5 mins, until golden all over. Set aside on a plate.

    Add the onion to the pan and cook for 4-6 mins, until it starts to soften.
    Stir in the garlic, ginger and spices, then the cauliflower, tomato purée, tomatoes and coconut milk.
    Simmer for 20-25 mins on a medium heat.

    Stir the halloumi through the curry to warm through, then serve on rice, garnished with the coriander.

    OK this sounds utterly amazing. I'll be seeking and finding halloumi posthaste. Thankfully I live in a place with several mediterranean markets so hopefully I can find it. I already have all the spices!
  • gallicinvasion
    gallicinvasion Posts: 1,015 Member
    I’ve made a healthier Alfredo sauce: olive oil and corn starch to start, then add chicken broth and whole milk. Once it thickens up, you can take it off the heat and whisk in Greek yogurt. Once that’s incorporated, you can put it back on the heat and add Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black peppers. Comes out so delicious!