Stephanie Moram

Green Cauliflower Mash

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St-Patricks day is one of my all-time favorite days to celebrate. My grand-father literally got off a boat from Ireland and ended up in Canada. Growing up I remember how important it was for him to celebrate in style with his shillelagh in one hand and a beer in the other. I guess deep down I always knew green was my color in more ways than one.

I want to continue to celebrate and enjoy the day just like my grand-father did, but I also want to keep mother nature happy and not be too hard on my body.

I think St-Patty's is the one day out of the year we can all agree that it is acceptable to have a beer before noon – or is that the Irish in me talking? Everywhere you look- you probably see green beer or brightly colored green cupcakes or treats. Do you know how that food became the perfect shade of green? Artificial coloring most probably. Sure, it makes the beer and food bright and more appealing, but is it worth it?

CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) says food dyes can cause everything from hyperactivity and allergic reactions to cancer, and is calling for the government to ban three of the most common dyes.

How can you have your green beer and drink it, too you might ask?

Here are some natural ways to add the green you want without the nasties.

Speaking of herbs, I was in the mood for some cauliflower. So I attempted and surprising succeeded at creating cauliflower mash St-Patrick’s style.

Print Recipe

Green Cauliflower Mash

Ingredients

  • 1 head of cauliflower
  • 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or coconut oil melted
  • 1/2-1 cup or more fresh green herb of choice parsley, cilantro, basil, dill etc
  • 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
  • Garlic powder or fresh garlic
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Steam the cauliflower until very tender.
  • While the cauliflower is steaming, chop the herbs by hand or process in a food processor. Set aside
  • Once the cauliflower is steamed, place in the food processor with the herbs and puree until smooth.
  • Add the oil, nutritional yeast, garlic, and pepper.
  • Continue to puree the cauliflower until your desired consistency. (Add a little water if it is not blending well).
  • Optional: The pepper was used for my Irish theme- you don't actually have to make a Shamrock and use it. Unless you want to.

Now you have green cauliflower mash.

Isn't that a pretty green shamrock? And it tastes yummy, too.

What will you be drinking and eating this St-Patrick’s week-end? Maybe experiment with the natural colorings?

Whatever you decide- Have a green St-Patty's day!

Shared with Delicious Dish

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Comments

  1. Rachel Marie says

    Thank you for sharing this. I absolutely love your blog. I’m not as healthy as I should be these days, okay so I’m not at all and I hate it. Having people to go to who can educate me more and more makes me want to put down the processed oreo’s and my artificial tasting mac & cheese that always makes me want to puke after eating and jump back on the healthy train. Really, I appreciate it 🙂 I’m your newest follower from the hop and I hope to see more blogs from you soon 🙂 Make sure to check out my blog and follow back if you’d like, I followed you via google+ the happily ever after project

  3. Julie@teachinggoodeaters says

    I completely agree that there are so many easy ways to “go green” for St. Patrick’s day without artificial coloring- I hadn’t thought of naturally coloring my beer- but I may have to try that tomorrow!! We have a “Green Feast” http://teachinggoodeaters.blogspot.com/2012/03/food-adventure-friday-green-feast.html each year for St. Patrick’s day and my son’s birthday. The first year, I used food coloring for a few things, but since then, I have challenged myself to use all naturally green foods. My newest creation I’m calling Green Monster Muffins!

    http://teachinggoodeaters.blogspot.com/2012/03/food-adventure-friday-green-monster.html

  6. six sisters says

    This looks good and we love cauliflower! Thanks so much for linking up to “Strut Your Stuff Saturday.” We loved having you and hope you’ll join us again next week! -The Sisters

  8. eryn says

    This looks cute and festive. I wish I had seen it before St. Patrick’s Day, but I’ll try it out next year.

  18. Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage says

    Thanks so much for sharing a healthy alternative to the artificial dyes being thrust on us in everything from toothpaste to food and drink. We’ve got to make people aware of the dangers of such things…for their own good!

    Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday. Hope to see you each week.

    Blessings,
    Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage