Mock Mashed Potatoes

Hello! I've got a fun surprise recipe for all of you today! Mashed potatoes are always a big hit with almost any crowd. Garlic, cheese, butter...everything that makes you feel all warm and gooey on the inside! Well, here's a little twist on traditional mashed potatoes that will have you quite surprised! I have made this recipe a couple of times now and been really happy with the results. I know the idea of mashed cauliflower seems strange but trust me, the texture is quite similar, the flavor is there and they're super healthy!! Go ahead and eat the entire batch and you don't have to feel guilty! Give these a try and let me know what you think.

MOCK MASHED POTATOES (MASHED CAULIFLOWER)

What you need for the mashed cauliflower:
1 medium head of cauliflower
1 tablespoon of cream cheese
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 clove minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

To make the mashed cauliflower:
1. Bring a large stock pot of water to a boil.
2. While your water is boiling, clean and cut up your cauliflower.

3. Pour into boiling water and let steam for 6-8 minutes until soft.
4. While cauliflower is cooking, mix together the remaining ingredients in a bowl and then transfer to a food processor.

5. Once cauliflower is cooked, drain well and pat dry with papertowels until excess water is removed. 

6. Pour about half of your cooked cauliflower into the food processor and pulse until combined. You may have to mix it up with a spoon, too, to incorporate the cheesy ingredients you added first. Once mixed, add the rest of the cauliflower and pulse until blended.

7. Top with fresh chives, parsley and or black pepper.

Yummy! Tastes just like mashed potatoes!

ENJOY!

Spring Lemon Cookies

Good Day Everyone! I apologize for the delay in posting...I can't believe it's been almost a month! Lots of travel have kept me away from actually blogging the recipes but believe me, I've still been baking! I shared these fun, fruity cookies with some lovely ladies last weekend. We went up to Wisconsin to visit Danny's grandma last weekend and celebrate Mother's Day. The luscious lemon frosting on these sugar cookies are sure to be snatched right up! And they're easy-peasy to whip together so get busy!!

The lovely ladies at the botanical gardens in Milwaukee

LEMON FROSTED SUGAR COOKIES

What you need for the cookies:
1 package Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookie dough
Icing- 
2 cups powdered sugar
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 teaspoon water
1 teaspoon lemonade (you can just use water if you don't have this on hand)

To make the cookies:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. I cut the roll of dough in half to make it easier to work with. Sprinkle a clean work surface with flour and dust your rolling pin with flour as well.

3. Roll out 1/2 of the dough to about 1/4″ thickness. 3

4. Using a fun-shaped cookie cutter (I used a flower), cut 12 cookies and place them on the first baking sheet. 

5. Bake for 9-11 minutes and then place on a cooling rack to cool. 

6. Repeat with the second half of the dough.

7. While the cookies are baking or cooling, prepare your icing by mixing the powdered sugar with the lemon juice, water and lemonade. (I mixed in some yellow food coloring to make them a little more springy.)

8. When cookies are cool, spread icing on top of cookies.

ENJOY!!