Parsnip-Cauli "Mashed Potatoes"

The retro appeal of mashed potatoes emphasized via Instagram

Cauliflower pureé is good in its own right. But it lacks a certain heft that may make it disappointing when branded as a "mashed potato" substitute.  Adding a parsnip (or two) with a head of cauliflower   gives it an extra heft and a light sweetness. The effect is that of a whipped, lightly sweetened mashed potato. Don't be afraid to add another parsnip or two if you want to make it an even "sturdier" substitute. 

A Heartier Cauliflower "Mashed" Potatoes

1 head cauliflower
1 parsnip, peeled and chopped
1 Tbs. butter, ghee, or oil of your choice*
1/2 C. cashew milk or Milk Substitute of your choice
1/2 tsp. sea salt

1. Chop cauliflower into florets.
2. Steam cauliflower and parsnip until soft (about 8 minutes).
3. Combine steamed cauliflower, parsnip, and remaining ingredients in blender.
    or
3. Remove steamer and drain water from pot, combine all ingredients together in same pot with a hand blender or mixer.

* a high quality olive oil or a truffle oil tastes very good!

I'm pro-use what you already have that works with the allergies and ideological convictions of you and your guests. The majority of my recipes  come from finding ways to use leftover produce, the contents of CSA boxes, or produce that grabbed my eye at the Farmers Market. Eating healthy is affordable when you figure out how to work with produce that is on sale (often what's in high season). In this spirit,  I've made this with various milk substitutes and fats depending on what's available and the dietary needs of those I'm cooking for.

Be aware though that coconut milk will make it taste, (Surprise!) coconut-y. If you're buying a packaged milk substitute, go for unsweetened. Overly sugary milk substitutes will push this recipe from savory to overly sweet (I'm having bad flashbacks of the syrupy sweet Edensoy brown rice milk of my childhood).

Vegan, Gluten-Free Banana Ice Cream, Smothered With Hope

Last night, my roommate and I both thought that it was Wednesday and shortly before 9 PM were surprised when we couldn't find the State of the Union on TV (neither of us ever really watch TV so we were already fumbling). We soon realized that it was actually Tuesday. The winter is going more slowly than we thought! For the event, I had even made sundaes thanks to some overly ripe bananas that I had put into the freezer a while ago and my vita-mix. We ate the ice cream sans president, and it was so good, we will again tonight for the real State of the Union address.

The texture and perfect cold sweetness will give you hope—if a banana and dates and can produce the texture and perfect cold sweetness of ice cream, maybe some day our "democracy" can produce a congress with a spine that's not controlled by corporations and their special interests that can actually create a viable public health care option.

A word of warning from the homespun wisdom of a South Carolina politician's uneducated grandmother: If you have any stray friends coming over to your house to watch the State of the Union address, you may not want to feed them this, because they will come back for more of your low sugar, healthy, yummy desserts and possibly breed. This is of particular risk if you are in your late 20s and every week you are getting another wedding/ engagement party/ baby shower invitation.

Banana Ice Cream Smothered in Hope

Makes 2 Servings*

2 bananas, frozen & sliced

2 dates, pitted and soaked for 2-3 hrs**

2 Tbs. carob or cocoa powder

2 Tbs. cashew milk, coconut milk or your preferred milk alternative

Optional "mix-ins":

walnuts, chopped

chocolate chips

1. Combine all ingredients (but not optional mix-ins) in a vita-mix or blendtec.

2. Start on low setting and gradually crank up to high.

3. Blend until whipped and banana has the texture of ice cream.

4. Add mix-ins and top with Coconut Milk Whipped Cream if you have some on hand or just feel ambitious.

5. Serve immediately (unfortunately, when stored, you lose the ice-cream like texture).

Notes & Tips:

*For each additional serving: add 1 frozen, sliced Banana, 1 Tbs. Carob or cocoa powder, 1-2 Tbs. Cashew Milk, and 1 soaked date.

** No time to soak? Cover dates with boiling water and let sit for 5-10 minutes.

I'm not sure if or how this would work in a regular blender. I think that making this in a magic bullet in small batches may work because they are pretty powerful but I haven't tried it.