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cauliflower

Alternative Mash (AKA Mashed Faux-tatoes) paleo, vegan, dairy free

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HEALTHY THANKSGIVING RECIPE SERIES!

Recipe #2: Alternative Low-Carb Mash or “Mashed Faux-tatoes”

paleo, low carb, gluten free, grain free, dairy free, vegan, keto

This might be one of my favorite dishes that’s always on our Thanksgiving table. It’s simple, creamy, smooth, and oh so comforting. I’ve been tinkering with this recipe for a couple of years now and finally found the perfect combination of low-carb root vegetables to replace the humble potato in an oh so perfect mash. And honestly I haven’t looked back since. We do always have a regular mashed potato on the to accommodate everyone’s Thanksgiving dish wishes, but this one has been stealing the show!

This recipe is super easy to make (good bye potato ricer!), is only 4 ingredients (6 with salt and pepper), and one of my favorite things about this recipe is that it will stay smooth and creamy regardless of the temperature it is at (yep even cold right out of the fridge).  And unlike the regular potato mash which tends to get starchy and stiff after it’s been sitting out for a little while or hasn’t been reheated properly this will stay smooth no matter how you re-heat it, so it’s the perfect make-ahead dish.

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Low Carb Mash or "Mashed Faux-tatoes"

paleo, low carb, gluten free, grain free, dairy free, vegan, keto

This is the ultimate low carb mash to replace those regular mashed potatoes. These are super creamy and smooth and in my opinion way better than the "real" traditional stuff. It will keep it's texture no matter what and is an awesome make ahead dish! This recipe is easy to double/triple for larger crowds. 

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Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 1 parsley root, medium
  • 1 kohlrabi, medium
  • 2 tbsp coconut butter
  • sea salt
  • pepper
  • parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of well salted water to a boil

  2. Wash and cut the cauliflower into 1 in pieces/florets

  3. Peel the kohlrabi and parsley root and cut into 1 in cubes

  4. Add all three veggies into the pot of boiling water and cook until everything is just tender (a fork should pierce through the pieces easily) about 8-10 minutes. 

  5. Once cooked remove from heat and dump into a large strainer

  6. With either a food processor or inversion blender (a regular blender may also work here too) blend the veggies with two tablespoons of coconut butter.  Add salt and pepper and more coconut butter if you like. Garnish if chopped fresh parsley if you see fit. Viola! Low-carb mashed fauxtatoes ready for the table!

Recipe Notes

These are an excellent make ahead dish. You can reheat this in a pot over the stove or even in the oven. This will stay super creamy and smooth no matter what!

If you make this recipe I'd love to see your creation! Please either post a comment or picture on this page or if you're posting on Instagram please tag @freshlydafna and use #freshlydafna. 

 

 

 

Roasted Leek and Cauliflower Salad (paleo, keto, vegan)

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My diet revolves around lots of fresh veggies and some fruit with an emphasis on what’s in season. Eating seasonally has too many benefits for me to attempt to list here, but these are the top reasons I believe revolving your diet based on what’s available in each season is so impactful.

WHY EATING SEASONALLY IS GOOD FOR YOU:

  1. SAVES MONEY – When you eat based on the season it typically means that you are eating locally as well. Eating produce that is harvested close to your market means that the conditions are suitable for growing that crop, making it easier to grow, which means there is more supply which means better prices.
  2. MORE NUTRIENT – Buying produce based on what’s available in that season also means your produce will not be imported and perhaps even better, be grown locally. Because the goods have to travel less of a distance they are harvested closer to their peak ripeness which means higher levels of nutrients.
  3. TASTE BETTER – Because seasonally available fruits and veggies are harvested close to peak ripeness they have more time to grow on the vine/tree/ground or original source making them more flavorful as opposed to those who have to ripen less on the vine and more on the counter or en route. Produce that has been imported is often harvested much before peak ripeness so it does not spoil during transport which leaves it lacking in flavor. 
  4. MORE NATURAL – There seems to be a rhythm in which the produce grows to supplement what our bodies need. Lighter produce like watermelon, sweet stone fruit, berries grows in the summer when it’s warm and something juicy is what we crave. And winter months bring the citrus, packed with vitamin C, and pomegranate rich with antioxidants to protect us from winter illness. The food that grows naturally in those months brings additional support for what our bodies may need more or or lack.
  5. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY – As I mentioned eating what’s in season means that produce is brought is from local sources. This means less environmental impact because there is less pollution caused from transportation methods. And you support local business!

I created this recipe while in Israel. During my 2 week trip, I visited 5 different food markets. And when I wasn’t exploring new markets I would make my daily trip to the open market near our apartment. It’s always so fun for me to walk down the aisles looking at all the daily fresh finds and talking to the people behind the stalls about cooking tips and favorite veggies. Going to a market is perhaps the easiest way to see what’s fresh and in season.

This recipe was an inspiration of fall flavors. The flavorful and hearty leeks, the tender and comforting cauliflower, laid on top of fresh and bright arugula, topped with touches of juicy, crisp sweetness from a ripe pomegranate and of course the light and creamy tahini sauce. I love a good warm salad because it provides such a lovely balance of tastes and textures that all complement each other. This is also super quick and would be a great main dish next to a protein or as a light appetizer that would go with almost anything.

paleo, keto, vegan, low carb, dairy free, gluten free, grain free

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Roasted Leek and Cauliflower Salad

paleo, keto, vegan, low carb, dairy free, gluten free, grain free

This salad is the epitome of fall flavors. It's super quick to assemble and perfect as part of an entree or as a light appetizer. This warm salad is a lovely mix of autumnal flavors and textures, simply seasoned and dressed with tahini sauce. It's free of most allergens and suitable for almost all diets!

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Ingredients

Salad Components

  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 3-4 leeks preferably thin stalks, if possible
  • 2 cups fresh arugula
  • 1/4 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
  • 3 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves
  • 3 tbsp fresh mint leaves
  • 4-5 tbsp avocado oil
  • sea salt
  • black pepper

Tahini Dressing

  • 1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste)
  • water
  • 1 fresh lemon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

  2. Prepare the leeks by cutting off the bottom bulb and the dark greens on the top. Also remove any thick outer layers of the stalk. Cut the leeks in half (lengthwise) and again into 3 inch pieces. Rinse very well while keeping the shapes in tact. 

  3. Lay the cauliflower on the baking sheets and drizzle avocado oil (about 2-3 tablespoons) over the florets. Add about 1 tablespoon each of fine sea salt and black pepper. Use your hands or spoon/spatula to coat and season the cauliflower.

  4. Place in the oven and let cook for about 18 minutes or until just tender (a fork should easily go through it's thickest parts)

  5. Cook the leeks by placing them on a baking sheet, adding about 2 tablespoons of avocado oil and 1 tablespoon each of salt and pepper. Again using hands/tool to coat the leeks. Bake in the oven for about 8-10 minutes. They will be soft and slightly opaque when done. 

  6. Make the tahini by adding 1/4 cup of sesame paste to a small bowl, add 1/4 cup water and mix well. The tahini will get thicker before it starts to get smooth. Add juice from 1/2 of the lemon and mix again. Adjust to your taste by adding more water, lemon, or sesame paste. (SEE NOTE BELOW)

  7. Assemble the salad: Spread the tahini on the bottom of a large plate, add the arugula, then the leeks and the cauliflower, sprinkle the pomegranate seeds on top and finish off with fresh herbs. Add any more salt and/or pepper per your preference and enjoy!

    I like the tahini on the bottom but pouring it over the top would be great too!

Recipe Notes

Tahini: I tend to like my tahini slightly thick with a lot of lemon, which is usually 1/4 cup tahini to 1/4 cup water to 1/2 lemon.  At my house this is usually doubled to keep up with the rate of tahini consumption. You can thin by either adding more water or lemon or thicken by adding a bit more tahini. I suggest starting with these measurements and playing from there. 

If you make this recipe I'd love to see your creation! Please either post a comment or picture on this page or if you're posting on Instagram please tag @freshlydafna and use #freshlydafna. 

If you make this recipe I’d love to see your creation! Please either post a comment or picture on this page or if you’re posting on Instagram please tag @freshlydafna and use #freshlydafna.

Crunchy Summer Salad (paleo, vegan, keto)

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My guy first made this crunchy salad for me when we just started living together in Tel Aviv. We mostly ate at home and would frequently cook for each other, showing off our kitchen skills. When he presented me with this dish it BLEW. MY. MIND. To be honest, I almost never enjoy any cruciferous vegetable in it’s raw state so when I saw him chopping up the cauliflower for this raw salad I was skeptical. But as soon as I took my first bite I was hooked, and after seeing my pure delight in eating this dish he told me he would make it for me anytime I wanted! And that’s when I knew – he’s a keeper. Anyways enough with the mushy stuff, time to get down to the details about this dish.

This salad is easy and simple, perfectly crunchy, is packed with some of my favorite veggies, light and lemony and is excellent for the summer time. It’s also quite possibly my favorite dish of all time and could eat it anytime of day year round. It needs to sit overnight in it’s juices but it’s SO worth the wait, I promise. It’s wonderful as a side to whatever you’re eating. Add some tahini on that plate and you’re in business babe.


paleo, vegan, low carb, dairy free, soy free, grain free, gluten free

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Crunchy Summer Salad

This salad is easy and simple, perfectly crunchy, is packed with some of my favorite veggies, light and lemony and is especially perfect for the summer time. It needs to sit overnight in an excess of lemon juice, but it'll be worth the wait. 

paleo, vegan, low carb, dairy free, soy free, grain free, gluten free

Ingredients

  • 3 carrots medium
  • 1 kohlrabi
  • 1 bell pepper
  • 1/4 head cabbage
  • 1/2 head cauliflower
  • 4 lemons freshly juices
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 2 tbsp pepper

Instructions

  1. Slice the veggies into the pieces/strips and place in large bowl with a cover

  2. Add juice from the lemons to the large bowl. Add salt and pepper. Cover with the lid. Shake vigorously. 

  3. Let sit in the fridge overnight. 

  4. In the morning shake it again, taste, and adjust seasoning accordingly. Shake/stir before serving. 

Recipe Notes

I love this version of the dish because it is simple and the flavors are clean and perfect. But this is SUPER versatile so you can mix it up by playing with the ratios, adding in different veggies like fennel or jicama, maybe some apple, green instead of purple cabbage, or throw in some celery seeds for an extra oomph.

Slice (you can make any size, but I always make thins strips from all the veggies):
3 medium carrots
1 kohlrabi
1 bell pepper
1/4 head cabbage
1/2 head cauliflower

Put in a large bowl, add juice from about 4 lemons, about 1 tbsp salt, 2 tbsp black pepper. Cover and shake it all up. Let it sit in the fridge overnight. Shake it again in the AM and taste for seasoning add more salt or pepper as necessary. Shake again more before serving.  I enjoy this the most on day two!

OPTIONS OPTIONS OPTIONS:
I love this version of the dish because it is simple and the flavors are clean and perfect. But this is SUPER versatile so you can mix it up by playing with the ratios, adding in different veggies like fennel or jicama, maybe some apple, green instead of purple cauliflower, or throw in some celery seeds for an extra oomph.

Whole Roasted Cauliflower (vegan, keto, low carb)

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I love all the cruciferous vegetables. I do find myself mostly eating brussel sprouts. But I think my favorite might be the humble cauliflower. While it’s so unassuming yet can be lent to such a wide range of applications: from pizza crust, to a low carb rice replacement, and even as an addition to smoothies!

And while all those uses of cauliflower are wonderful ways to get more plants into a diet they seem to either disguise the cauliflower as something else or cover it with other more dominant flavors. This way, however, truly makes the cauliflower itself shine.

I love this recipe because there’s no prep cutting and super straight forward. And there’s tahini sauce. Which is always welcome on my plate. I might have a mild tahini addiction… and I’m ok with that. This recipe is acceptable for almost all diets and food sensitives/allergies.

plant based/vegan/paleo/keto/vegetarian/gluten free/low carb/grain free

 

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Whole Roasted Cauliflower (with Lemony Tahini Sauce)

plant based/vegan/paleo/keto/vegetarian/gluten free/low carb/grain free

This dish showcases the cauliflower in all it's glory and is a great side for any meal.

Ingredients

  • Cauliflower head
  • Avocado Oil
  • Sea Salt
  • Tahini paste
  • Lemon juice fresh squeezed
  • Water

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400.

  2. With a steamer (or pasta pot w/built in strainer) steam the whole head of cauliflower. Once a knife can pierce through the base of a floret, remove from the heat. Careful not to overcook.

  3. Place cauliflower on baking sheet. Brush (or massage as I do) the cauliflower with avocado oil. Sprinkle about 1 tbsp of sea salt over the cauliflower. Cook the cauliflower until it becomes a golden brown color and smells amazing, about 20-30 minutes, this will depend on the size of your cauliflower. In the meantime prepare the tahini sauce. Mix 2 parts tahini with 1 part lemon juice and 1 part water. Add water and or lemon juice until it is the desired tartness and consistency.

  4. Once the cauliflower is done, remove from the oven, place on serving dish. You can either eat it by cutting off the florets from the base and dipping in the tahini or spread the tahini over the top and then cut or rip off the florets.