Delicious, Nutritious Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

I’m not a fan of mashed potatoes, I find them bland, boring and devoid of the nutrient value I aim for in my food. But my family loves them. Happily, I’ve found a way to make mashed potatoes AND meet my delicious, nutritious desires. When I discovered I could get extra meals out of them, I became a fan.

This recipe uses half cauliflower and half potatoes. Cauliflower belongs to the GBOMB (Greens Beans, Onions, Mushrooms, Berries, Seeds/Nuts) group, the most nutrient-dense foods. Add sautéed spinach, or leeks or mushrooms (also GBOMBS) and voila! We get extra nutrition, color and happy taste buds.

We tend to think of butter as something to be avoided, but in moderate amounts now and again, it can even be good for us. Essential fats help absorb the nutrients in plants.

Gosh, there are so many ways to do this.

Variations
• Vegan: use almond or oat milk and skip the butter.
• Spinach: sauté 5 oz spinach in 1 tablespoon olive oil until it begins to wilt, add 1 teaspoon minced garlic, mixing occasionally, cook another 2 minutes
• Mushroom and Leeks: Slice 2 leeks and 8 oz mushrooms, sauté in olive oil until tender and mix into mashed potatoes and cauliflower
• Rosemary: add 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Make sure to make enough for leftovers to use for breakfast:

Skinny Fitalicious: Mashed Potato Muffins a great gluten-free breakfast option. I add 1 cup of chopped veggies such as spinach, broccoli, red bell pepper.

Mashed Potato Waffles

Or for a quick dinner:

Mashed Potato and Omelet with a big green salad tossed with pumpkin seeds or chopped nuts

Cooktoria: Mashed Potato Mushroom Quesadillas another quick dinner option; I reduce the cheese to 1/2 cup and add chopped greens (spinach, kale, swiss chard). Add  chopped poblano peppers or red bell peppers for more nutrients and flavor . Yum!

Delicious, Nutritious Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Delicious, Nutritious Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
Print Recipe
Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. If organic, scrub the potatoes then cut large cubes. If not organic, peel the potatoes.
  2. Cut the cauliflower into pieces about the same size as potato pieces.
  3. Place potatoes in a pot and cover with about 2 inches of cold water; place pot on medium-high heat.
  4. Stir in 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
  5. Add the cauliflower pieces and cook another 5 – 8 minutes. Test with a fork. When tender remove from heat.
  6. Drain potato and cauliflower in a strainer.
  7. Place back in the pot, mash with a potato masher, adding butter and milk. Adjust butter and milk to your preference.
  8. Season with salt and pepper.
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Frozen Orange Mousse Torte with Berry Sauce

I get enthused about certain recipes and make them with frequency until they’re no longer interesting and they fall off my repertoire. But this recipe has endured more than 10 years of entertaining.
It’s one of my absolute favorite desserts because:

  •  everyone loves it
  • can be made days in advance
  • gluten-free
  • can double recipe for a large dinner party (24 guests). I cut modest size servings and can serve 12 per torte
Frozen Orange Mousse Torte
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Servings
12 - 16 servings
Servings
12 - 16 servings
Frozen Orange Mousse Torte
Print Recipe
Servings
12 - 16 servings
Servings
12 - 16 servings
Ingredients
Make Crust
Make Berry Sauce
Make Mousse
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
Make Crust
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Blend first 4 ingredients in processor until almonds are coarsely chopped.
  3. Add melted butter and blend until moist crumbs form. Using a square of parchment paper, press almond mixture onto bottom (not sides) of 9-inch-diameter spring-form pan.
  4. Bake crust until golden, about 8 minutes.
  5. Chill while preparing mousse.
  6. Can be prepared a week or two before, covered and frozen.
Make Berry Sauce
  1. Place berries, sugar and orange juice in a medium saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil, turn down to simmer and cook about 10 minutes. Cool.
  3. Purée berry mixture in processor. Strain through sieve set over bowl, pressing on solids.
  4. Mix in orange juice and peel. Cover and refrigerate until cold.
  5. Can be made the weekend before. Keep refrigerated.
Make Mousse
  1. Whisk orange juice, sugar and egg yolks in a medium metal bowl.
  2. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (the bowl should not to touch the water). Whisk until candy thermometer registers 170°F, about 5 – 6 minutes.
  3. Remove bowl from over water. Using electric mixer, beat yolk mixture until cool and thick, about 6 - 8 minutes. Carefully mix in 1 cup plain Greek yogurt. Beat in Grand Marnier.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat 1 cup cream and orange peel in bowl until stiff. Fold cream into yolk mixture. Pour mousse into crust.
  5. OPTIONAL: Beat 1/3 whipping cream until stiff. Spoon whipped cream into pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe cream around top edge of torte. Cover spring form pan and freeze overnight. *
Serve
  1. Cut around pan sides to loosen torte. Release pan sides.
  2. Cut torte into wedges.
  3. Pour a couple spoonfuls of Berry Sauce on each wedge and serve.
Recipe Notes

*Note: Frozen torte can be made a week or a few days before. Cover springform pan tightly with cling wrap.

Modified from:

Epicurious: Frozen Mousse Orange Torte with Boysenberry Sauce

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Orange Marmalade Cookies

In our garden in Cochabamba is a magical orange tree. Magical because of the astonishing amount of fruit it produces, magical because of the intense vivid flavor of not only the juice but also the peel. These oranges make the most amazing orange marmalade, I can taste the sunshine in every bite.

When I bring back a jar of that marvelous homegrown, home-made orange marmalade to Houston, it is too precious to use in these cookies. But the cookies are also so delicious that I use store bought orange marmalade to make them. When our Cochabamba marmalade is gone, these cookies are a flavor from home.

Variations

  • For an extra-special treat, I dip the cookies (baked and cooled) in chocolate. I melt about 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate with 1 tablespoons of butter or cream. Place the cookies on a silpat or well-buttered cookie sheet until the chocolate hardens.
  • Or add chocolate chunks into the batter
Orange Marmalade Drops
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Servings
36 - 40 cookies
Servings
36 - 40 cookies
Orange Marmalade Drops
Print Recipe
Servings
36 - 40 cookies
Servings
36 - 40 cookies
Ingredients
Adjust servings: cookies
Units:
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease cookie sheets.
  2. Beat butter until soft, gradually add sugar beating until light and creamy.
  3. Mix in eggs until creamy, add marmalade and mix just until blended together.
  4. Sift flour with baking powder. Stir sifted ingredients into butter mixture.
  5. Drop the batter from a teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet.
  6. Bake about 8 minutes.
  7. If using chocolate, once the cookies are completely cool, melt chocolate with 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil. Dip cookies in melted chocolate and place on a silpat until chocolate is solid.
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Carrot-Shape Sugar Cookies in Oreo “Dirt”

By request, this is the third year these cookies are part of my Easter menu; they’re becoming a family tradition.

The instructions seem long-winded and intimidating but don’t let the step-by-step instructions alarm you. They’re so worth it. Or recruit the kids and make it a family project; it will be fun!

I use India Tree food coloring (available on  Amazon) made from highly concentrated vegetable colorants; they contain no corn syrup or synthetic dyes.

What to do with all the leftover Oreo dirt?
I freeze it for another time; here is one of my favorite ways to use the Oreo crumbs
Epicurious: Frozen White Chocolate and Raspberry Mousse

I’m going to give this Grasshopper a try, it evokes happy childhood memories! Have you ever had Grasshopper Pie?

Simply Recipes: Grasshopper Pie

Carrot Shape Sugar Cookies in Oreo Dirt
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Carrot Shape Sugar Cookies in Oreo Dirt
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Ingredients
Adjust servings:
Units:
Instructions
  1. In a medium-sized bowl whisk together flours, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl cream, with electric beater (or by hand), butter and sugar together for several minutes. Add egg, milk, and vanilla until thoroughly combined.
  3. Add a few drops of yellow food coloring and one drop of red.
  4. Slowly add flour mixture until well mixed. Adjust food coloring one drop at a time until it has the desired orange shade.
  5. Turn off beater and shape dough into a ball.
  6. Divide in half; roll each half into a log on a silpat or floured surface. If the dough is too soft and sticky, refrigerate for 10 - 15 minutes. Don't let it get too cold or it will be difficult to shape.
  7. Cut into ½” slices
  8. Roll (either on the counter or between your palms) each slice into a cone shape
  9. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
  10. After cookie sheet is full, slightly flatten the “carrots”
  11. Refrigerate a couple of hours or overnight; they hold their shape better if they're really cold before baking
  12. Bake at 350 for 5 – 8 minutes (depending on the size of your “carrots) peeking to make sure the tips don’t get too dark. Cool
  13. Stick a toothpick in the top of each cookie, carefully pushing it almost all the way in. Make an assembly line. Tie a green ribbon on the tip of toothpick. I use fabric-with-wire ribbon because I can shape them.
  14. Grind Oreo cookies in a food processor or blender. Place the Oreo “dirt” in a serving dish.
  15. Dip bottom half of "carrot" cookie into Dulce de Leche and stick in the Oreo dirt.
Recipe Notes

NOTE: Make ahead so it’s not overwhelming. For example

  • 1 or 2 weeks earlier a) make and freeze the cookies to bake later or b) make AND bake the cookies. If making ahead; I freeze them (baked or unbaked it’s the same process) in a large ziploc bag lined with parchment paper. Place parchment paper between the layers or cookies also so they don’t stick together.
  • Make the Oreo crumbs by pulsing 6–8 cookies at a time in a blender or food processor. Store in a covered container.
  • One or two days before, tie green ribbon on toothpicks and insert into baked cookies. I like using fabric ribbons wire to hold the shape)
  • Day of: recruit your kids to dip the “carrots” in Dulce de Leche and place in Oreo “dirt"
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Carrot Orzo “Risotto”

This recipe for my Easter Menu was inspired by the Lemon Barley Pilaf from Epicurious Lemon Barley Pilaf
Given that orzo is a pasta, I think it will be more enticing to little ones with selective palates that will celebrate Easter with us.

If whole-wheat orzo is not easily available, this can be made with regular orzo. The key to this dish is not overcook the carrots, or the orzo, otherwise it all becomes mush.

I serve it with a tiny dish of red pepper flakes and a little bowl of shredded Parmesan cheese alongside for people for “customization”
– As is: For vegan guests and those with dairy sensitivity
– Added red pepper: For adults who want to spice it up, my personal choice—I love the sweet (carrot).
– You can also add: Parmesan cheese for extra dressing up

Carrot Orzo "Risotto"
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Servings
8 servings
Servings
8 servings
Carrot Orzo "Risotto"
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Servings
8 servings
Servings
8 servings
Ingredients
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat melt butter with olive oil.
  2. Add onion and cook 2 -3 minutes until begins to turn translucent.
  3. Add carrot and cumin; cook another 2 -3 minutes stirring.
  4. Mix in orzo and cook another 2 -3 minutes.
  5. Add carrot juice and broth, bring to a boil. Immediately turn heat until liquid just simmers and cover. Cook 8 -10 minutes. Orzo should be al dente, cooked but firm. Immediately remove from heat.
Recipe Notes

[su_original_recipe]

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Baked Huminta

A traditional corn dish from my hometown of Cochabamba.

To make it spicy, add an additional 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes.

Baked Huminta
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
8 people 15 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour
Servings Prep Time
8 people 15 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour
Baked Huminta
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
8 people 15 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour
Servings Prep Time
8 people 15 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour
Ingredients
Adjust servings: people
Units:
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375. Butter a 9 x 12 baking dish.
  2. Place four cups of corn with melted butter in food processor (or blender) and puree.
  3. Pour into a bowl and repeat. This time add the anise seeds, salt and red pepper flakes. Pour into bowl with first batch of corn and mix well. Add cheese and mix well.
  4. Pour into buttered baking dish and bake for 45 - 50 minutes until corn is set.
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Healthy Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkins generally seem to be relegated to Thanksgiving pies. But pumpkins are nutrient-rich and add lovely flavor and texture to food. I’ve learned to keep a can or two of organic pumpkin puree (making sure to check label lists pumpkin as the only ingredient) in my pantry.

Pumpkin gives a nutritious start to the day in breakfast. I use pumpkin puree (homemade or canned) in oatmeal, breakfast breads (muffins and loafs) and pancakes/waffles.

Add some defrosted berries on top for extra yumminess and nutrition.

Or mash fresh fruit (berries, mango, peach) into a  couple of tablespoons of cream cheese, sweeten with some honey and make waffle “sammies” (one of my favorite concepts from Weelicious), a waffle sandwich cut into four for little hands to hold. Makes a wonderful breakfast-on-the-go (using frozen waffles popped quickly into the toaster), a fun school lunch or afternoon snack.

 

Pumpkin Waffles
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Servings
12 4-inch waffles
Servings
12 4-inch waffles
Pumpkin Waffles
Print Recipe
Servings
12 4-inch waffles
Servings
12 4-inch waffles
Ingredients
Adjust servings: 4-inch waffles
Units:
Instructions
  1. Preheat waffle iron.
  2. Sift first 7 ingredients into a bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl whisk the remaining ingredients.
  4. Whisk the dry ingredients into the liquid mixture and whisk until smooth.
  5. Pour about 1/2 cup of the pumpkin batter into a waffle iron that’s been buttered or greased and cook according to manufacturer’s directions.
Recipe Notes

Serve with maple syrup or make into sandwiches using cream cheese and whatever other fillings you desire.

Allow to cool, place in a ziploc bag, label and freeze. When ready, place in toaster oven or oven at 300 and heat for 10 minutes or until heated through.

Source:

Weelicious: Pumpkin Waffles

 

 

 

 

Source:

Weelicious: Pumpkin Weelicious: Pumpkin Waffles

http://weelicious.com/2010/01/14/pumpkin-waffles/

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Cottage Cheese Pancakes

One of my favorite resources for breakfast recipes is Weelicious.com. These pancakes are a huge hit in our house. They are especially yummy with berry puree. I double the recipe and freeze the extras to have on hand during the week. Pop them in the toaster and breakfast is ready in minutes on a busy weekday morning.

For the Berry Puree, simply defrost a package of frozen berries (raspberries, black berries, mixed berries) and puree until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons of orange juice or water to dilute if it is too thick.
Sweeten if desired with 1 – 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey

Cottage Cheese Pancakes
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Servings
4
Servings
4
Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Print Recipe
Servings
4
Servings
4
Ingredients
Adjust servings:
Units:
Instructions
  1. In a bowl whisk together eggs, cottage cheese, vanilla and honey
  2. In a separate bowl whisk the dry ingredients.
  3. Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
  4. Heat a large sauté pan or griddle over medium heat, brush with butter or coconut oil. Pour a spoonful of batter at a time. When begin to bubble, flip them over.
  5. Cook for 2 minutes on each side or until pancakes are set and golden.
  6. Serve with maple syrup of berry sauce on top.
Recipe Notes

Modified from

Weelicious: Cottage Cheese Pancakes

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