Cauliflower Mash

In an effort to cut carbs in the later evening, I attempted a new twist on an old favorite.  Cauliflower mashed "potatoes."   I have made them twice now and they are super easy and good!

First break and wash the cauliflower bulb, then place the pieces in a microwave safe dish.

 

Add a few tablespoons of water into the bottom of the dish and cover with saran wrap.   Microwave until soft. 

A little off topic but, notice my new vintage rectangle baking pyrex dish...purchased at a very low price, a couple months ago, at the antique/flea market that I went to with my mom.

I sauteed garlic and shallots up in a small amount of olive oil, while the cauliflower were cooking in the microwave.   Throw the shallot mixture in with the cauliflower.

Actually I think this is the other vintage pyrex piece that I bought that same day.  It all started with my other 2 nesting bowls that I originally got from my grandmother's garage sale pile about 7 years back.  I have one more piece to go to complete my 4 piece nesting set, but the price has to be right ;)

Add some milk, as well as some salt and pepper. Now blend up your cauliflower.  I have a blender stick, Hand Blender, which was a great recommendation by my mother in law; I do use it all the time for soups and now mashes.  It also comes with a small food processor and whisk, which is handy too.   If you don't have the blender stick, you can use a food processor, a blender or good ole fashion arm muscle....  We are talking a mere 20 seconds here with the stick.

The second time I threw in a couple pieces of bacon at the end of the blend session, for good measure.

This was a very informal run through.  My main focus was my rumbling belly, not the proper picture or consistency, but you definitely get the picture, right?

Cauliflower Mashed "Potatoes"

1 head cauliflower

1 clove garlic (optional)

1/8 cup skim milk, plain yogurt, or good butter

Salt & pepper

Paprika

This is a great, low-carb alternate to mashed potatoes. I'm not a big fan of cauliflower, yet this tastes surprisingly good.

Steam cauliflower (optionally with a clove of garlic) until tender. Cut the cauliflower into pieces and place in a blender with the milk, yogurt or butter. Season with salt and pepper and then whip until smooth. Pour cauliflower into small baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika and bake in hot oven until bubbly

Recipe above taken from  diabetes daily    

My photo version was really  prior to looking up the recipe.

Consignment Store

I now officially have a twitter page: which I am completely new at and have only posted my first tweet today. 
www.twitter.com/eatwellplaywell    If you follow me now, you will be there when I actually find the time to utilize it and get good at it  ;)

The "high pressure, first tweet" was in reference to my appointment at a consignment store. 

I brought in about 35 pieces of my couple size bigger clothes and what they do is go through them one by one and tell you what they will take and what they will not take.   They took 26, so I am off and running as a consignment store sellee.   Perhaps I will make a little fun money on next month's check run.  Time will tell.  Either way, it was sort of a celebration moment, when she looked at a couple of the pieces and said oh those are really cute, and I said, thanks but I can't wear them anymore.  She asked, oh did you lose weight and I said yes- "XX pounds to be exact..."   (www.savvysecondsboutique.com)

I kept most of my good jeans, I couldn't let those go.  If it turns out that this is actually profitable, maybe I'll be able to part with them...

P.S.  This is probably my 3rd time ever on YouTube- but speeking of tweets, this commercial is cracking us up in our house lately....    Funny Tweet Commercial on TV Lately...   I think the word my husband uses is: disturbing...

Leftovers

I found myself with an extra 20 minutes one recent Saturday morning and came up with this protein/veggie packed meal. The steak was left over from a night or two prior and the red peppers were already cut up.  I sliced up the steak  (Grass Fed Skirt steak, I believe... I am not the steak chef of the house) and started heating both items up in the pan over medium heat

I then made some room in the pan for two eggs and cracked them in there, a little salt and pepper and they were good to go.   Say cheese, my meal.

Added  a small amount of avocado for some "good fat" and was very pleased with my morning meal.  

You can do this too..