To make matters worse, I am constantly surrounded by sugary treats and heavy meals. I don't know about you, by my body is rebelling. Even looking at another holiday cookie makes me feel a little ill. I think it's time to get back to the basics and get some more veggies into my diet, snap!
In planning my holiday menu, I've been looking for ways to "lighten up" some traditional favorites. There is nothing wrong with mashed potatoes, but I've recently discovered this mock version that I love even more than the original. Plus, it only involves 4 ingredients and can be made in under 15 minutes. Yes, please!
So what's in it, you ask? Pureed cauliflower and parsnips combined with a little garlic and olive oil. Yum! It's the perfect (lighter) side to your holiday meal and goes fabulous with my gluten-free and vegan mushroom gravy (recipe coming soon!). Enjoy!
P.S. If you live in Seattle, don't miss FIT + FIERCE + FABULOUS on Sunday, January 13th! You'll release tension and open up your mind with yoga, get clear on how to achieve big goals in 2013 with Life and Business Coach June Moore, have a blast dancing your booty off in Zumba, AND I'll show you how to beat your sugar cravings by discovering where you've been missing sweetness in your life! The early bird registration ends soon so sign up now to save $50!
Serves 4
4 cups chopped cauliflower florets
2 cups chopped peeled parsnips
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly-ground black pepper and sea salt to taste
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the cauliflower and parnsips and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid, drain well, and then transfer the cauliflower, parnsips, and minced garlic to a food processor. Add oil and a little water, 1 tablespoon at a time (as needed), and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
This looks so good! I always see parsnips are the market but rarely do I use it in my cooking. I'm not a big potato fan, but I do love garlic and cauliflower, so I'll have to give this a try!
ReplyDeleteThe parsnips give it a lot of flavor! I tried a first batch with just cauliflower, but I really like the mix better. Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI've been debating doing the cauliflower mash this Christmas but I'm pretty sure Kevin, my boyfriend, would be really, really upset. I just may make a little batch for myself.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny (or sad, I haven't decided) now that we live across the country and both of us work from home, we really haven't been tempted by ANY holiday treats or anything. We've both been feeling great, having awesome meals, and looking forward to Christmas Day turkey and a couple of homemade desserts. Not only that, but I did all of my shopping online so I didn't have to wrap a thing! As much as I miss my family and would give anything to go back home, not feeling pressured around this time of the year has been a really, really nice change.
That sounds amazing and so relaxing! That's definitely how the holiday season should be! :)
DeleteI tried a different cauliflower mash recipe a few months ago and really didn't like it. I love cauliflower so I think I will try again with a different recipe, because it looks so good!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely about the flavor since cauliflower is pretty bland on its own. I really loved this version with garlic and a little salt and pepper. If you try it, let me know what you think!
DeleteSo, do you just chop the garlic and put it into the processor raw?
ReplyDeleteYes, sorry the directions were unclear. I added my garlic raw, but you could also saute it in a little oil if you didn't want a strong garlic flavor. Or, you could add whole garlic cloves to the pot of water to cook with the cauliflower and parsnips and then chop in the food processor. Hope that helps!
DeleteThanks, Sonnet! I saw parsnips at the grocery store and I was wondering what to do with them. This sounds fab!
ReplyDeleteIf you were open to it, I would really love to learn more about your philosophy on sugar cravings. Any chance you might write a post about it for those of us who can't attend?
Hey Becky,
DeleteI actually do have a post about sugar cravings planned for Jan, but it won't be as intensive as the material I cover in the workshop. At some point I'd love to offer an online workshop that people can virtually attend so it isn't limited by location. Hope you have a wonderful holiday!
Sonnet
I have to say, I haven’t eaten parsnips since I left home and they were no longer force fed to me. It’s the one vegetable I just don’t like. Although, having said that, recently my friend converted me into an eggplant lover from a serious eggplant skeptic…so I think I will try out this recipe and hopefully I will become a parsnip convert!!! Ps. Powdered potatoes!!! Eeeek!!!! Haha.
ReplyDelete