Healthy Holiday Recipes and Tips

HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON PATCHERS!

There's no reason to throw your health goals out the window at the holidays with this delicious lower calorie substitute to mashed potatoes.

Garlic and Herb Mashed Cauliflower

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower, washed, and cut into florets
• 1 vidalia onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tablespoons kerrygold unsalted butter
• Sea Salt and pepper to taste

Process:

1. Place cauliflower in a steamer basket in a large soup pot, season with  sea salt and pepper, and steam until soft (about 10-12 minutes, test with a fork).
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of kerrygold butter in a non-stick frying pan on medium heat.
3. Saute onion, garlic, and herbs until onion is translucent. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
4. Place steamed cauliflower into a high speed blender or food processor. Add the sauteed onion, garlic, and herbs, along with the second tablespoon of butter. Process until smooth.
5. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary, or a sprinkling of fresh ground pepper.

FUN FACTS

• Cauliflower contains allicin, which can improve heart health and reduce the risk of strokes, and selenium, a chemical that works well with Vitamin C to strengthen the immune system. Cauliflower can also help to maintain a healthy cholesterol level and is a good source of fiber.
  Folate is also found in cauliflower, which is a B vitamin important for cell growth and replication.

• Garlic fights a number of bacteria and viruses and therefore helps to prevent infections.

• Onions have anti-inflammatory properties which are helpful throughout the body. They also help to suppress the growth of potentially harmful bacteria in the colon as well.

You can enjoy this dish as a great side to a marinated skirt steak in lieu of mashed potatoes or just as a twist on cauliflower for your holiday meal. Enjoy!

-Tara Gidaly, Nutritionist

Recipe adapted from: http://astore.amazon.com/thefoodlovprip-20/detail/1936608863