9 Recipes to Bring Cauliflower Home for the Holidays

Posted by Emily Ho · December 20, 2017

Ahhhh the holidays! That tradition-fueled time of year chock full of hot cocoa, snowflakes, gift wrap, merry songs, cookies, and cauliflower. Wait, what?

The vegetable has wildly increased in popularity during the past five years, when foodies and conscious eaters alike started swapping out potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, and other carbs for the versatile plant. And because of the promotion of more and more keto success stories, cauliflower’s popularity isn’t going dormant anytime soon.

With holiday tables typically filled to the brim with every delicious carb and starch imaginable, it stands to reason that cauliflower, a member of the same family as broccoli, brussels, cabbage, and kale, will stand in for the usual stuffing, yams, and pastas.

A full medium head of cauliflower has only 146 calories, half of your daily need of potassium, and a whopping 12 grams of fiber and 11 grams of protein! You probably don’t need to eat an entire head of cauliflower at once, but the point is, it’s a lean, mean carb-fighting machine that weighs in pretty worry-free when you’ve got a hankering for mac, waffles, or stuffing.

Why has cauliflower become such a versatile and popular ingredient? The neutral flavor and starch level is really beneficial to replacing all of the carby deliciousness, explained Marisa, recipe developer at UprootKitchen.com. When you steam or sautee and blend, you achieve the same creaminess.

She made a few recommendations for those trying to up their cauliflower game, or get started:

The pureed cauliflower can substitute for half & half.
Add olive oil or butter if the cauliflower lacks the mouthfeel you would have gotten from, say, mashed potatoes.
Don’t be afraid to add fat! Especially if you’re already substituting to reduce carbs but want to feel just as filled and satisfied.
The neutral flavor/taste makes it easy to dress up anyway you like. Try adding fresh herbs or roasted garlic.

How to Substitute Cauliflower in Your Holiday Recipes

CHRISTMAS DINNER

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese https://www.ruled.me/cauliflower-mac-cheese/

Olive Oil, Garlic, Romano Mashed Cauliflower http://faithfulnessfarm.blogspot.com/2013/01/olive-oil-garlic-romano-cheese-mashed.html

Cauliflower Stuffing http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a50127/cauliflower-stuffing-recipe/

PARTY SMALL BITES

Baked Cauliflower Tots http://www.nothankstocake.com/2015/03/03/baked-cauliflower-tots/

Buffalo Cauliflower http://www.nothankstocake.com/2016/01/21/roasted-frozen-buffalo-cauliflower/

Cauliflower Hummus http://www.ourfifthhouse.com/2013/05/cauliflower-hummus-yummy-paleo-snack.html

HANUKKAH NOSH

Cauliflower Latkes https://www.myketokitchen.com/keto-recipes/low-carb-latkes-keto-cauliflower-pancakes/

Everything Bagel Cauliflower Rolls https://lexiscleankitchen.com/everything-bagel-cauliflower-rolls/