Nitrate & Nitrite Free Garden Herb Mashed Potatoes & Cauliflower
Creamy, herby, and genuinely comforting, this mashed potato and cauliflower blend is the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show at the dinner table. Steaming the cauliflower until completely tender before mashing it together with Yukon Golds gives you a silky, cohesive texture that feels indulgent without being heavy. A warm milk-and-butter mixture gets folded in along with a subtle hit of ground ginger, which adds just enough warmth to make the whole thing feel a little more interesting than your average mash. Fresh parsley, chives, and optional basil are stirred in at the end, so every bite carries that bright, garden-fresh flavor. For anyone navigating a nitrate- and nitrite-free lifestyle, this recipe is a genuinely easy win — every single ingredient is a whole, unprocessed food with nothing hidden in the label. No cured meats, no packaged seasoning blends, no preserved add-ins to second-guess. You control exactly what goes into the pot, which means you can serve this confidently alongside whatever else is on the menu. It comes together with straightforward technique and pantry staples, making it a reliable go-to whether you're cooking for a crowd or just want something satisfying on a weeknight.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 ½ lbs yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 3 cups cauliflower florets (about ½ medium head), cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ cup low-fat milk, warmed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¾ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 3 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook for 12–15 minutes, until a fork slides through the largest piece with no resistance.
- 2
While the potatoes cook, set a steamer basket over 1 inch of simmering water in a separate pot or use the same pot with a basket insert. Add the cauliflower florets, cover, and steam for 8–10 minutes, until completely tender and easily pierced with a fork.
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