(gluten-free and egg-free)
1 medium head (approximately 2 pounds) cauliflower, cut into florets
3 tablespoons ghee, divided
8-ounces baby portobello or shiitake mushrooms, sliced
4 large cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
½ cup almond milk (or other dairy-free milk alternative)
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
½ teaspoon dried thyme
freshly ground pepper and salt, to taste
½ cup manchego cheese, grated
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1. Steam cauliflower florets until tender, approximately 10-15 minutes.
2. While cauliflower is steaming, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add two tablespoons of ghee, reserving one tablespoon. When ghee is melted and shimmering, add sliced mushrooms and cook until tender, approximately 7 minutes. Stir in garlic and continue to cook and stir, about one minute. Add balsamic vinegar and cook, stirring occasionally, until vinegar becomes a bit syrupy.
3. Stir in almond milk (or other dairy-free milk alternative). Allow mixture to simmer over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly thickened (if gravy does not thicken up enough, add arrowroot powder, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired thickness is reached. Stir in rosemary and thyme. Taste and add salt and pepper, if needed. Remove from heat and set gravy aside.
4. Place remaining tablespoon of ghee, grated cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg into a food processor. Place steamed cauliflower into tea towel and press/squeeze to remove any excess liquid. (Pro tip: Wearing thick rubber dishwashing gloves will allow you to squeeze out the excess moisture while the cauliflower is still very hot.) Once liquid has been removed, add steamed cauliflower to food processor. Pulse processor until cauliflower is completely pureed, scraping down sides of processor occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired, adding more salt, pepper, and nutmeg to your taste.
5. Serve cauliflower mash with mushroom gravy spooned over the top. Impress your family and hear them say, “I can’t believe this is cauliflower!”
