BHA & BHT Free Chive Mashed Cauliflower
Creamy, buttery, and flecked with bright green chives, this mashed cauliflower is the kind of comfort food that genuinely surprises people at the table. It comes together with a short list of whole, recognizable ingredients — fresh cauliflower, unsalted butter, whole milk, sea salt, and herbs — which is exactly what makes it such a reliable choice when you're avoiding synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT. Those additives tend to sneak into packaged foods and even some store-bought dairy products, so cooking from scratch with simple, unprocessed staples is the cleanest way to stay clear of them. Steaming the cauliflower until completely fork-tender before blending is the real secret here — it gives the finished mash that silky, almost whipped texture without needing any thickeners or additives. The warm milk-and-butter mixture gets folded right in during processing, making every bite rich and smooth. Fresh chives on top add a gentle oniony lift that keeps the dish feeling light despite how indulgent it tastes. It's an easy, crowd-pleasing side that happens to check every box.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 lbs), cut into florets
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup whole milk, warmed
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Fill a large pot with 1–2 inches of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Set a steamer basket inside, add the cauliflower florets in a single layer (work in two batches if needed), cover, and steam until completely tender and a fork slides through the thickest pieces with no resistance, 12–15 minutes.
- 2
While the cauliflower steams, warm the milk and butter together in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted and the mixture is steaming but not simmering.
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