Skip to main content

Better than Mashed “Potatoes”

Few dishes are as soul-satisfying and luxurious as a buttery-rich potato puree or mashed potatoes. I love mashed potatoes, but I know that they’re not particularly good for me. Cauliflower puree makes a truly superb substitute.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
2 1/2 cups roughly chopped cauliflower
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup Greek yogurt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 450˚F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray it with cooking spray.

    Step 2

    Spread the cauliflower out on the prepared baking sheet. Season it with salt and pepper to taste. Top the cauliflower with another sheet of foil, and roll up the edges to form a sealed package.

    Step 3

    Roast the cauliflower for 20 minutes. Remove the top foil, being careful of the steam, and continue roasting the cauliflower until it is tender, another 15 to 20 minutes.

    Step 4

    In the bowl of a food processor, combine the cauliflower with the yogurt. Puree until the mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired, and serve.

  2. healthy tips

    Step 5

    There may be no real replacement for a big, fat, fluffy baked potato—and once in a while, do treat yourself to one (topped with Greek yogurt and chopped fresh chives). But on a regular basis, reduce the amount of white potatoes in your diet by replacing them with cauliflower in recipes like potato salad or mashed potatoes.

  3. nutrition information

    Step 6

    Fat: 30g (before), 2.8g (after)

    Step 7

    Calories: 390 (before), 48 (after)

    Step 8

    Protein: 2g

    Step 9

    Carbohydrates: 5g

    Step 10

    Cholesterol: 8mg

    Step 11

    Fiber: 2g

    Step 12

    Sodium: 181mg

Now Eat This by Rocco DiSpirito. Copyright © 2010 by Rocco DiSpirito. Published by Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. Hailed as the "Leading Chef of his Generation" by Gourmet magazine, Rocco DiSpirito received the James Beard Award for his first cookbook, Flavor. He went on to author Rocco's Italian-American (2004), Rocco's Five Minute Flavor (2005), Rocco's Real-Life Recipes (2007), and Rocco Gets Real (2009). DiSpirito also starred in the Food Network series Melting Pot, the NBC hit reality series The Restaurant, and the A&E series Rocco Gets Real.
Read More
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like a cucumber-cilantro chutney sandwich and scallop piccata.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
A why-didn't-I-think-of-that technique takes this classic from great to greater.