Quick food quiz: Which of the following is NOT an actual hybrid vegetable or fruit?
- Broccolini
- Tangelos
- Pluots
- Caulitatoes
- Apriums
- All of the above–Dee Dee’s lost her remaining marbles
If you guessed 4, you win the prize. The prize is that you get this awesome recipe for what SHOULD be a food hybrid–Mashed Garlic CauliTatoes (Cauliflower & Potatoes). If you guessed 6, it’s still early in the holiday season, so stay tuned.
While the “caulitato” isn’t an actual food, I’m doing a mash up (Get it? “Mash” up? I’m hiliarious.) because the flavors were meant to be together. The cauliflower and potato go together like those other hybrids listed above. And since cauliflower seems to be used in every which way these days, why not incorporate it into an old standby like mashed potatoes? Genius, I tell you. (hold the applause, please)
I have been trying to find ways to sneak more healthy vegetables into our meals. And cauliflower is one of my favorite vehicles to do that. To be honest, it doesn’t have a lot of flavor on its own, but as a result makes this vegetable makes a perfect pairing with just about anything else you might want to add. And hello–garlic is a perfect addition to pretty much anything, so that was a must-add to this dish!
I’ve used cauliflower in place of rice, have tossed it into roasted veggie dishes, and even made a silky soup out of it.. Each and every time, I’m surprised at how much I really like this cruciferous vegetable.
So if you’re still hunting for a last-minute change up for a holiday side dish, look no further than your new favorite vegetable dish–Mashed Caulitatoes! Who knows? Maybe together we’ll start a fad and you’ll be seeing this should-be hybrid of cauliflower and potatoes at farmer’s markets in no time!
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 8 people | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 30 minutes |
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Why go with a boring version of just potatoes for this classic side dish? Add the vitamin-rich cauliflower for a sweetness that you can't get with potatoes alone. And you know what? I'll bet that your family doesn't even know the cauliflower is in there. Mwah-ha-ha! Sneaky, health(ier), and oh-so-good!
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- 3 lb. Russet potatoes, cleaned, peeled and cubed
- 1 head cauliflower, broken into florets
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 3/4 cup 2% milk
- 4 oz. light cream cheese, softened
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp. fresh chives, chopped
- Scrub and peel potatoes. Dice into 2" cubes. Break cauliflower into small florets. Peel and smash garlic cloves.
- Place potatoes, cauliflower and garlic into large pot. Cover with water by 1/2". Boil until potatoes and cauliflower are both fork tender, about 30 minutes. Drain water and place vegetables back in the pot.
- Using a manual potato masher, break up potatoes and cauliflower so that other ingredients can be mixed in easily.
- Add cream cheese and milk to mixture.
- Using hand mixer, slowly mix ingredients to incorporate, making sure to fully blend garlic cloves into vegetables.
- Add salt & pepper to taste. Drizzle olive oil and blend to incorporate into a creamy mixture.
- Sprinkle in chopped chives, and stir with a spoon to incorporate.
- Serve alongside your favorite main dish. All hail the Caulitato!
Oh, the possibilities with crazy vegetable combos. I have also been known to use potatoes with parsnips, which add a more pronounced sweet flavor profile. Want to really blow people's minds? Try adding other root vegetables like carrots or turnips. Get creative, and enjoy the fabulous flavors the result from your own hybrid mixes like my new CauliTato concoction!
Dee Dee, these sound amazing!! I tried commenting on your other post about your Thanksgiving menu and I could not get through, so I will just explain my love here for all your recipes! Seriously, I kind of wish we were having a second Thanksgiving right now 🙂
I love that you combined the cauliflower AND potatoes! So clever!
I love this! They sound delicious!!
Love this flavor combination. i actually make a soup that contains both potato and cauliflower and it’s fantastic. Can’t wait to try this.
Any mash recipe with cream cheese in it is all right by me! Happy Thanksgiving!
Love the little quiz. You are a girl after my own heart mixing cauliflower with potatoes. I love it.