Superfood Mediterranean Cauliflower Mash

If you’re short on time but need a good-for-you keto side dish that’s also impressive enough to serve to guests, you can’t do better than this buttery herbed spinach & cauliflower mash!

Cauliflower is the perfect alternative to starchy potatoes, and if prepared the right way, you won't even know there are no potatoes. You can do that by adding flavor from caramelized onions, garlic and butter, and by blending it until very smooth and creamy.

This cauliflower mash is different because it uses two nutrient-packed vegetables — spinach and watercress. It's so good for you that I decided to call it "superfood" mash. This mash is diabetic-friendly and has the perfect balance of healthy fats and nutrient-dense vegetables. This recipe is a great example of a healthy Mediterranean keto approved recipe which emphasizes the importance of healthy fats and nutrient density (even better if you swap the butter with extra virgin olive oil!)

You can serve this creamy cauliflower mash with any proteins such as roast chicken, pan-fried salmon, pork chops, tenderloin, lamb chops, and any seafood.

This creamy green mash recipe is originally from my Beginner's KetoDiet Cookbook. Check it out for over 100 more delicious low-carb recipes!

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Step-by-step

1. Place the cauliflower florets in a steamer, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Once the cauliflower has cooked, remove from the heat, remove the lid and let the steam escape.

   

2. While the cauliflower is cooking, peel and dice the onion and mince the garlic. In a pan greased with ghee or olive oil, cook the onion over medium-high heat until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook for 1 minute more. Take off the heat and set aside.

   

3. Boil water in a kettle and pour in a bowl with spinach and watercress. Leave in the hot water for 30 seconds to wilt and then strain and transfer to a bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and squeeze excess liquid out.

   

4. Place the drained greens in a blender with the cauliflower, caramelized onion and garlic, butter (or olive oil for dairy-free), and fresh herbs (basil or parsley), plus salt and pepper to taste. Process until smooth and set aside.

   

5. To serve, optionally add some more butter or olive oil on top. To store, let it cool, cover, and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

   

6. Reheat before serving and try with pan-fried salmon, roast chicken, steak or pork chops.

   

Recipe

Superfood Mediterranean Cauliflower Mash

★★★★★4.6 (36 ratings)

Buttery herbed cauliflower mash with caramelized onion, spinach and watercress for extra nutrients. So tasty ...

Hands on

15m

Overall

25m

Servings

4

6.6 g

Net carbs

4.6 g

Protein

15.8 g

Fat

191

kcal

1 serving2 servings3 servings4 servings5 servings6 servings7 servings8 servings9 servings10 servings11 servings12 servings16 servings

US + metricMetricUS

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Ingredients makes 4 servings

• 1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets (600 g/ 1.3 lb)
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped (70 g/ 2.5 oz)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ghee or extra virgin olive oil (15 ml)
• 150 g fresh spinach (5.3 oz)
• 50 g fresh watercress or more spinach (1.8 oz)
• ¹/₂ stick butter or ghee (57 g/ 2 oz) or ¹/₄ cup extra-virgin olive oil (60 ml/ 2 fl oz)
• ¹/₄ cup fresh basil or parsley
• sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Place the cauliflower florets in a steamer, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Once the cauliflower has cooked, remove from the heat, remove the lid and let the steam escape.

2. While the cauliflower is cooking, peel and dice the onion and mince the garlic. In a pan greased with ghee or olive oil, cook the onion over medium-high heat until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook for 1 minute more. Take off the heat and set aside.

3. Boil water in a kettle and pour in a bowl with spinach and watercress. Leave in the hot water for 30 seconds to wilt and then strain and transfer to a bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and squeeze excess liquid out.

4. Place the drained greens in a blender with the cauliflower, caramelized onion and garlic, butter (or olive oil for dairy-free), and fresh herbs (basil or parsley), plus salt and pepper to taste. Process until smooth and set aside.

5. To serve, optionally add some more butter or olive oil on top. To store, let it cool, cover, and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

6. Reheat before serving and try with pan-fried salmon, roast chicken, steak or pork chops.

Nutrition per serving, about 1 cup, 220 g/ 8 oz

Carbs 14%Protein 10%Fat 76% of calories

Net carbs

6.6 g

Total carbs

10.9 g

Fiber

4.3 g

Sugars

4.2 g

Protein

4.6 g

Fat

15.8 g

Saturated fat

9.6 g

Calories

191 kcal

Sodium

373 mg · 16.2% RDA

Magnesium

58 mg · 14.5% RDA

Potassium

740 mg · 37% EMR

Nutrition by ingredient

Per about 1 cup, 220 g/ 8 oz	Net carbs	Protein	Fat	kcal
Cauliflower, fresh	4.5 g	2.9 g	0.4 g	38
Onion, brown (yellow), raw	1.1 g	0.2 g	0 g	6
Garlic, fresh	0.2 g	0 g	0 g	1
Ghee, clarified butter	0 g	0 g	3.8 g	34
Spinach, fresh	0.5 g	1.1 g	0.1 g	9
Watercress, fresh	0.1 g	0.3 g	0 g	1
Butter, unsalted, grass-fed	0 g	0.1 g	11.5 g	101
Basil, fresh	0 g	0 g	0 g	0
Salt, sea salt	0 g	0 g	0 g	0
Pepper, black, spices	0.1 g	0 g	0 g	1
Total	6.6 g	4.6 g	15.8 g	191

Serving size about 1 cup, 220 g/ 8 oz

• Gluten free
• Dairy free
• Egg free
• Nut free
• Nightshade free
• Pork free
• Avocado free
• Coconut free
• Fish free
• Shellfish free
• Beef free
• Pescatarian
• Vegetarian
• Vegan