Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower (Printable)
Creamy mashed cauliflower with sweet roasted garlic and fresh chives for a light, elegant side.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 lbs), cut into florets
02 - 1 whole head garlic
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
→ Dairy
04 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 1/4 cup whole milk or heavy cream
→ Seasonings
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
07 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Olive Oil
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Slice the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 30-35 minutes until soft and golden.
03 - Steam or boil cauliflower florets until fork-tender, about 10-12 minutes. Drain well.
04 - Unwrap roasted garlic and squeeze out cloves into a large bowl.
05 - Add cooked cauliflower, butter, milk or cream, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth using a potato masher or blend with an immersion blender for a creamier texture.
06 - Fold in chopped chives. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with additional chives if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The roasted garlic transforms cauliflower into something unexpectedly luxurious
- Its ridiculously simple but tastes like you spent hours on it
02 -
- Overcooked cauliflower can turn watery, so check for tenderness early
- Letting the roasted garlic cool slightly makes squeezing out the cloves easier
03 -
- Squeeze the roasted garlic from the bottom, like a tube
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly