Cauliflower Mash

I follow the Paleo AIP diet, but I miss mashed potatoes. Below is a recipe for a sweet potato cauliflower mash which helps me get most of the mashed potatoes experience.

Pineapple, on the other hand, doesn't need to follow the Paleo AIP diet and she prefers the true texture of mashed potatoes which the sweet potato cauliflower mash can't match. Consequently, over several iterations, we built these two recipes together to meet the tastes and needs of our household. The first recipe is Paleo AIP friendly while the second is not.

I prepare both of these together, but with adjusted proportions; across both recipes I use the amount of sweet potatoes and cauliflower that each recipe calls for alone. In other words I use 3 sweet potatoes and 1 bag of cauliflower divided evenly across both batches and then half as much coconut oil and butter. To reduce cross-contamination I cook the medley potatoes in a separate pot--also prepared with water containing 3 pinches of salt. I also first prepare the sweet potato cauliflower mash using the counter-top mixer so that I do not need to clean the mixer before starting the medley-potato containing recipe.

Both of these recipes call for sweet potatoes (a.k.a. yams). There are several different kinds of sweet potatoes available, but what you can purchase varies by store. Typical sweet potatoes are orange but there are varieties which are yellow and others which are white. If you want the prepared food to look more like mashed potatoes then you should purchase Golden Sweet Potatoes which have a white flesh.

When mixing the final mash it is helpful to use a counter-top mixer but you can mix them with a fork, potato masher, or other tools.

Sweet Potato+Cauliflower Mash

Ingredients

• Water
• 3 medium-sized sweet potatoes
• 1 large head of cauliflower or 1-2 bags of cauliflower
• Salt
• Coconut Oil (solid at room temperature)

Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water
2. Add three large pinches of salt
3. Bring the water to a boil
4. While the water is heating
1. Peel the sweet potatoes
2. Slice them into 1-inch thick chunks
3. If you bought a head of cauliflower, chop it into smaller florets and chop the main stem into 1-inch thick chunks
5. When the water is at a boil
1. Add the chopped sweet potatoes
2. Add the cauliflower
6. Wait until the water reaches a boil again
7. Reduce the temperature to low
1. The water should have a slight boil from now on; If it isn't still bubbling then the vegetables will not soften much
8. Set a timer for 30 minutes
9. After the timer finishes, turn off the heat
10. Drain the water
1. I personally use a pasta spoon to scoop the cooked veggies out of the pot and I use a strainer to let them drain
11. Place the cooked veggies in the counter-top mixer (or some other large container for mixing in your chosen way)
12. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of coconut oil (2-3 heaping tablespoons full)
13. Mix
14. Serve
15. Salt to taste

Sweet Potato+Potato+Cauliflower Mash

Ingredients

• Water
• 3 medium-sized sweet potatoes
• 1 large head of cauliflower or 1-2 bags of cauliflower
• Small medley potatoes
• Salt
• 1-2 sticks Butter (depending on desired taste)
• Sour Cream

Instructions

1. Follow steps 1-11 above
2. At step 5 add roughly the same volume of potatoes as sweet potatoes
1. When I prepare my half-batches, I use a separate, smaller pot and I add just enough potatoes to cover the pot's bottom
3. After/while adding the veggies to the mixer, add the butter
4. Add a few heaping tablespoons of sour cream
1. I add 1-2 heaping tablespoons for a half-batch
5. Mix
6. Serve
7. Salt to taste

Comments

So that ingredients stay within the counter-top mixer while mixing, you may want to cover the mixing bowl after filling it. My in-laws have an attachment which covers the mixing bowl. I, on the other hand, just use 3 pieces of cellophane wrap to cover the bowl.

By the way, I simplified this recipe from a similar one in "The Paleo Approach Cookbook: A Detailed Guide to Heal Your Body and Nourish Your Soul".