Not Your Mother’s Cauliflower (Dip)

cauliflower in the sauce pot

We’re on a cauliflower kick at my house. Roasted cauliflower, spicy cauliflower dip, and mashed cauliflower: they’re all delicious and low calorie. One medium-sized head of cauliflower has 145 calories. 145 calories!

Add a couple pats of butter or sour cream and your calorie count obviously goes up,  but STILL. Cauliflower is my new best friend this holiday season.

First up, mashed cauliflower. Now, I know this is neither a sauce or a dip, but I’m a sucker for mashed potatoes, and I’m here to tell you that mashed cauliflower is nearly the same thing. No, this isn’t an ice cream versus frozen yogurt debate (there’s a big difference). Mashed cauliflower really can taste a lot like mashed potatoes.

Recipe for Mashed Cauliflower

*1 small head of cauliflower

*2 tbsp skim milk

*2 tbsp butter

*salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Cut up the cauliflower (start by removing root/leaves and cut into quarters), so that you have smallish florets. Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in pot. Once you have a rolling boil, add the cauliflower and reduce heat to a slow boil. After 10 minutes, remove from heat. Combine cauliflower, milk, and butter in a food processor. Blend and then add salt and pepper to taste.

how to make mashed cauliflower
Next up: cauliflower dip.

Recipe for Spicy Cauliflower Dip

Inspired by the Indian-Spiced Cauliflower Dip on Oprah.com

*1 small head of cauliflower

*2 tbsp olive oil

*1 small onion, diced

*1 tbsp curry

*2 tsp paprika, divided

*salt

*1/2 c. sour cream

Directions: Cut cauliflower so you have small florets. Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a large sauce pan. Add a dash of salt and cauliflower to the water. Reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. In a sauté pan warm olive oil and then add onion. After about five minutes, add curry, 1 tsp. paprika, and dash of salt. Drain cauliflower and add to onion mixture. Sauté for an additional 3-4 minutes until slightly browned. Remove from heat and mix in sour cream. Place in serving dish and sprinkle paprika on top of dip. Serve with cracker of your choice or a toasted tortilla.

curry and paprika on sauted cauliflower

spicy cauliflower dip

Click here to read more about the roasted cauliflower. Also, check out the Saucy Dipper How to Make Dip page for more dip inspiration.

8 comments

  1. We are big fans of mashed cauliflower…especially when we were on our “wedding diet”! You can make it kind of like garlic mashed potatoes and add a couple cloves of cracked garlic to the boiling water and then blend it up with the cauliflower. It is delish! I have also made this dairy free (yes, I know…boring!) and added Tofutti cream cheese in the Herb and Chive flavor when blending everything together instead of butter and milk. Mashed cauliflower is a great alternative to mashed potatoes!! Even my husband requests them now and we are SO off the wedding diet! 🙂

    1. Larissa – You’re an inspiration. Seriously, you do such awesome stuff in the kitchen. You should start your own food blog! I mean, with all your free time, right?

  2. Ohhh…this looks so good. you know, cauliflower is one of my favorite things, and I never do anything remotely interesting with it. The dip flavors are really great.

    Thank you for putting me on your blog roll, I will gladly return the favor!

  3. Lauren – Thanks for the add. I really do love your site.

    Sweetlife – I’m thinking cauliflower definitely deserves a spot on my holiday table, too.

    Joanne – Ooooh. A sandwich spread. Now that’s a good idea.

  4. We adore cauliflower in its simplest form, so I know that these recipes will be welcome additions to our recipe box! I love the thought of serving this cauliflower dip…what an unusual and tasty appetizer! Thank you so much for sharing, sweet friend. I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

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