Pureed Cauliflower

I first came across this dish over five years ago. The day after our wedding, we went to brunch and came across the velvety smooth side dish that none of us have ever heard about. Surprisingly, on our honeymoon to Australia, we saw pureed cauliflower everywhere. Although it still hasn't gained the much deserve exposure here in the States, it is a staple of our dinner. It is easy to make, healthy and can take on a ton of different flavors.

Here are the basics:

• Bring a large sauce pot of salted water to a boil. Take a large head of fresh cauliflower and remove the stem and greens (my wife includes the greens, but I don't). Cut the head into florets (the smaller the better). Place the florets in the water until very tender, about 15 minutes. You can also use frozen cauliflower or steam the cauliflower florets.
• Once tender, drain the water and place the tender cauliflower into your food processor. Turn food processor on high, spoon mixing every so often until the texture is smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

This is where it gets interesting because now you have a perfect side dish by itself or a base to include a ton more flavors. Some of my favorite include adding:

• Roasted garlic, roasted red peppers and olive oil for an Italian fare.
• Feta cheese, oregano and olive oil for Greek style.
• Green onions (scallions), a splash of soy sauce and some sesame oil for Chinese style.
• Basil, pine nuts, parmigiano-reggiano cheese for a pesto style.
• Hot sauce, paprika and red pepper chili flakes for spicy version.
• Lemongrass, ginger and lemon for Thai style.
• Butter, sour cream and chives for mock, loaded baked potato version.
• Cheddar cheese, milk and bread crumbs for an au gratin taste.

The options are endless. Basically, you can infuse any flavor you like into this cauliflower base. Believe it or not, pureed cauliflower tastes like the best mashed potatoes you have ever tasted. Best of all, it is a healthy veggie that even the kids will love. What are you going to put into your pureed cauliflower? Let me know!