Happy Thanksgiving week (depending on when you are reading this)! I hope the next few days are filled with food and love with the people who matter most to you.
Heck, I hope everyday is like that for you – not just Thanksgiving.
Today I’m sharing a recipe for one of the most comforting foods ever: mashed potatoes. While I admit I am a stuffing girl at heart, there really is nothing more satisfying than a hearty helping of mashed spuds.
At its core, this recipe is what the blog is truly about. Yes, I did “lighten up” a classic dish which is sure to draw some eye-rolls somewhere out there but just hear me out. For me, changing up foods to make them lighter, healthier or “cleaner” (cringe…I hate that word, but you know what I mean) isn’t saying the original dish is bad or that anyone should feel guilty about eating it.
By replacing some of the mashed potatoes with cauliflower, I’m not saying all potatoes are terrible and everyone who eats potatoes is terrible and needs to be judged. Shoot girl, if I did I would be including myself in that category 😉 Personally I like to do is get the most bang for my nutritional buck whenever I can without giving up foods that I love. Sometimes that means replacing some of that starchy potato goodness with cauliflower to get some extra vitamin C and folate, while saving some of those carbs for the apple crisp I’m inevitably going to devour later on.
Balance, friends. Check the blog name.
As you may have guessed from my speech above, we have a cauliflower-potato mash happening here. But I’m happy to share what I believe is the perfect ratio of cauliflower to potato that makes these taste like all potato. YAS.
And then there’s the gravy. The cashew-based gravy. Swoon! The idea for the cashew gravy came from a recent trip to PCC – a natural grocery store chain here in Seattle. I stopped into PCC on my way to an appointment a few weeks ago, and spotted biscuits and cashew gravy at their breakfast hot bar. I was immediately intrigued and knew I needed to recreate it at home. Winner, winner gravy dinner!
I hope you love this recipe! The mashed potatoes are garlicky, fluffy and melt in your mouth. The gravy is creamy, flavorful and the perfect compliment to the potatoes. Enjoy!
- 1 Large Head of Cauliflower, chopped (approx. 2 lbs)
- 3 Large Yukon Gold Potatoes, washed and roughly chopped (approx 1.5 lbs)
- 4 Cloves of Roasted Garlic*
- 4 oz. Goat Cheese**
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil or Butter
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- ½ Cup Cashews, soaked in warm water for ~30 minutes
- 1 Tablespoon Avocado or Olive Oil
- ½ Large Onion, sliced
- 1 Cup Low-Sodium Chicken, Turkey or Vegetable Stock
- 1 Teaspoon Coconut Aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce)
- 1 Sprig of Fresh Rosemary, chopped
- 1 Teaspoon Nutritional Yeast (optional, but adds richer flavor)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Begin preparing the mashed potatoes by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Place the chopped potatoes in the water and boil until soft - about 10-15 minutes. Pour into a strainer, then set aside in a bowl or separate container.
- Refill the pot with water and return to a boil. Add the cauliflower to the water and boil until tender - about 8-10 minutes. Pour into a strainer and gently shake off any excess water.
- Place the cauliflower in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the roasted garlic, goat cheese, butter or oil and salt and pepper (feel free to season liberally). Process until combined.
- Add the potatoes to the food processor with the cauliflower mixture and pulse until the potatoes are incorporated. Remove from the food processor and return to pan to keep warm.
- Prepare the gravy by warming the oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the onion, and sauté until caramelized. The onions should be completely soft and a golden brown color. Add the onions to a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Drain the cashews from the water, and add to the blender with the onion. Pour in the stock, aminos, and nutritional yeast. Blend until smooth.
- Return the gravy to the skillet over medium-low heat to warm back up. Add chopped rosemary and stir well. Taste and adjust flavor by adding salt and pepper as needed.
- Once warm, serve immediately alongside potatoes.
**To keep the recipe vegan, replace goat cheese with 2 additional tablespoons of olive oil.
Your Turn:
- How do you like to lighten up your favorite comfort foods?
- What are some of your favorite ways to get the most bang for your nutritional buck?
” Personally I like to do is get the most bang for my nutritional buck whenever I can without giving up foods that I love.” << this is why we're friends 😀 I don't really care for traditional gravy, but shit girl I am ALL about this cashew gravy. Like WOAH.
Hi, you’re the best. <3333
This recipe is a perfect compromise. Love the lightened up way you made this and if it tastes like mashed potatoes then it must be mash potatoes. Now the cashew gravy – that’s a new one. I’m intrigued.
Thanks so much Ali! The cashew gravy was fun to make, and it’s delicious 🙂
This is perfect! I was just looking for a great mashed potato recipe for Thanksgiving.
Awesome, thanks for stopping by Brooke!
Lightening up is always great. Thank you.
Thanks Candy!
You know I LOVE using cauliflower to lighten things up–it’s just so, so versatile. Plus, Thanksgiving NEEDS potatoes. These look delicious lady!
Thank you so much Erin! YAS cauliflower is like the utility player in making things lighter 😉 also, I NEED your brussels dip in my life ASAP!
The gravy, girl…drew me right in 😉
It’s SUH GOOD.
I always see cauliflower mashed potatoes but I’ve never tried them! Which is surprising because I LOVE cauliflower! These pictures are gorgeous, but that’s not a shocker 🙂 Love the cashew gravy!
PS I also posted mashed potatoes today so WE R TWINZ
Twin brains! 😉 You should totally give the cauliflower potatoes a try!
Wow, this looks amazing. I love the idea of doing a cashew dressing. Very creative! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Thanks so much Lauren, have a great Thanksgiving as well! Also, I promise I’ll get back to you soon about grabbing coffee sometime!
I would never have guessed by looking at the pictures that these mashed potatoes were lightened up! They look soooo good! And I am totally curious to try out that cashew gravy. I have never had that before!
I’m all about the sneaky lighter dishes 😉 I hope you love it!
Great idea! A little cauliflower never hurt anyone. 🙂 These potatoes look delish!
Thanks Allison! I agree, a little cauliflower is a good thing 😉
Les, I LOVE that you did both cauli and potatoes in this dish 🙂 great way to lighten it up just enough, but still have it be yummy and comforting!
YUM! I love this combo and do it all the time! It’s one of may favorite sneaky ways to make the bf each his veggies! 😉
Isn’t cauliflower + potatoes together just the best? And I like your style! Sometimes boys need sneaky veggies 😉