Roasted Cauliflower “Fries”

If you can’t eat french fries every night, the least you can do is cook your other veggies up in a way you can pretend they are fries.  This is my favorite way to cook cauliflower (closely followed by my Cheesy Cauliflower Bake but this one is a LOT healthier).  It turns out tender but with a little crunchiness on the edges.  No mushy veggies here.  Even your pickiest vegetable haters will go for this one.

Roasted Cauliflower “Fries”

Roasted Cauliflower “Fries”

1 head cauliflower
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. olive oil

*All of the above measurements are completely open to interpretation.  I sprinkle, I pinch, I drizzle.  But some people like to measure so I guessed at how much I put on there.  Feel free to adjust to your tastes.

Preheat the oven to 400˚.  Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.  Break up or chop cauliflower into bite sized pieces and spread on the cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with spices.  Drizzle with oil.  Toss around a bit with your fingers to coat all of the cauliflower.

Raw cauliflower tossed with spices and a bit of oil.

Bake for 30 minutes until cauliflower is tender and starting to brown on the edges.  I usually stir around once or twice in there during the cooking time.

Roasted cauliflower, fresh out of the oven.

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Mashed Cauliflower

Maybe you’re into low-carb meals, or maybe you just happened upon a beautiful cauliflower at the farmer’s market, but either way you’ve got to try some mashed cauliflower.  Of course, with the addition of cheese and cream and butter, it may not be the healthiest side dish ever, but it’s definitely delicious.  And there is something to be said for changing it up and having something different once in a while!  My kids love this every bit as much as mashed potatoes.  In fact, my son Luke managed to eat all of his, sneak into the kitchen and help himself to all of the leftovers before I could catch him…or grab more for myself!

Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed Cauliflower

1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1-2 tbsp. butter
1/4 – 1/2 cup half ‘n half or cream
Salt & pepper
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Boil or steam the cauliflower until soft.  Drain any water left in the pan.  Add all other ingredients.  Using a potato masher, mash together until well blended.  If you want it smoother feel free to use a stick blender to puree further, but I prefer I little texture.  Taste, add more seasoning if needed and serve hot, sprinkled with a little extra cheese if desired.