Hazelnut Free Lemon & Olive Oil Mashed Cauliflower
Creamy, bright, and surprisingly luxurious, this mashed cauliflower is the kind of side dish that makes people forget they're eating a vegetable. Steaming the florets with whole garlic cloves builds a mellow, savory base, while fresh lemon juice and zest cut right through the richness for a flavor that feels genuinely vibrant. The trick of letting the cauliflower steam-dry in the colander before blending is what separates a silky, restaurant-worthy purée from a watery disappointment — and it really works. Blooming the ground ginger in warm olive oil before adding it to the food processor is a small step that pays off in a big, fragrant way. Every single ingredient here is naturally free from tree nuts of any kind, so there's no label-scanning or substitution anxiety — just straightforward, wholesome cooking. A drizzle of good olive oil and a handful of fresh chives on top make it look as impressive as it tastes. This one earns a permanent spot in the weeknight rotation.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 lb), cut into florets
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Fill a large pot with 1 inch of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the cauliflower florets and garlic cloves, cover, and steam until the cauliflower is completely tender and a fork slides through the thickest pieces with no resistance, 12–14 minutes.
- 2
Drain the cauliflower and garlic through a colander, then spread them on the colander and let steam escape for 2 minutes — this prevents a watery purée.
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