Carb-Free Cauliflower Mash

Where does your mind go to when I say mashed potatoes?

Delicious? Creamy? Steak? The perfect side dish?

Is this reaction immediately followed by thoughts of guilt? Despair? An image of a white, sugary, carby, calorie bomb?

Okay, so maybe your thoughts about mashed potatoes aren’t as dramatic as mine, but most can agree that mashed potatoes definitely are not the best nutritional bang for your buck. But fear not – there are better ways to enjoy mashed potatoes.

And one of those ways is by not including any potatoes at all (dun dun DUN!)

Today, I will teach you how to make the easiest and most delicious cauliflower puree ever!

This recipe is my go-to side dish for anything from family dinners, to classy dinner parties, to cooking for one (with tons of leftovers). It packs a nutritious punch, it contains no carbs, and is definitely a quick crowd pleaser. Try these for your dinner tonight, and you will experience the power of the ‘flower!

(note: No Regina, butter is not a carb)

Carb-Free Cauliflower Mash  

1 head of cauliflower, separated into florettes

1-2 tbsp of butter or coconut oil

¾ tsp salt

¼ tsp garlic powder

Pepper, to taste

Chives, for topping

Steam cauliflower until tender (about 10-15 minutes). A knife should easily slide through the cauliflower when done. Pour cauliflower into a food processor or blender with the butter, salt, garlic powder, and pepper and blend until smooth. Serve and be praised by everyone you know.

This is probably one of the easiest recipes we’ve ever posted, and one of my personal favourites! Make this for your family and I swear they will all be cauliflower converts too!

Until next time Foodies,

Erica and Andie

Skinny Mini Pizza Pies

Ciao, Foodies!

Now I love pizza as much as the next Bella, but sometimes it is hard to justify eating a big, greasy slice on any old day. Usually, pizza is saved for parties, late night (usually intoxicated) noshing, or as a last resort take out meal when no one wants to cook. You tell yourself “it’s okay. I am only going to eat one slice…or maybe two. I deserve two!”

Usually these pizza slices (often totaling four or five by the end of the pie) are followed by guilt, despair, and a long-lasting food coma in which you feel you will never awaken from. You thought you could be strong, but pizza just got the best of you.

But luckily, I have a solution to your pent-up pizza craving that will ensure a strong “you” at your next pizza party: Skinny Mini Pizza Pies! These are a single serving, healthy alternative to the usual pile of grease, carbs, and sodium. Make them for your next gathering (by multiplying the recipe, of course), or just the one for yourself to enjoy – food coma-free!

Skinny Mini Pizza Pies

Makes 1

1 wrap or tortilla of choice (I used Joseph’s Flax, Oat, and Whole Wheat Lavash Bread)

¼ cup tomato sauce

1 tbsp pesto of choice (optional, but adds great flavour)

1 slice cheese of choice * (see note)

Olive oil, for greasing (I used olive oil infused with garlic for a delicious flavour)

Any other toppings you usually put on your pizza (sautéed veggies, pepperoni, etc. get creative!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a small ramekin with oil. Cut wrap into small rectangles capable of lining the ramekin. Take one piece of the wrap and place it in the bottom of the ramekin. Spread sauce and pesto (if using) onto wrap and stack ¼ of the cheese slice. Repeat this process three more times. Until ramekin is almost full. Finish with one more piece of the wrap and brush the top of the wrap with oil.

Place ramekin onto a baking sheet (to avoid the contents from spilling over) and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the top is slightly browed. Let cool slightly and then run a knife along the side of the ramekin to loosen the pies, or eat directly out of the ramekin!

*A note on cheese: I have made this with 1% cottage cheese if you want to get really healthy, and if you hate the taste of low-fat processed cheese. It will still taste good, but it doesn’t have that super-authentic pizza taste, and it won’t get as crispy.

Once you try this mini-pizza, you will kick your carby cravings for good!

But speaking of pizza, keep checking Facebook and Twitter to join The Fit Foodies as we eat our way through Italy and France. It is going to be molto buona (very good) and you can live vicariously through our pictures.

Arrivederci for now, Foodies!

Erica and Andie