I want to try the faux mash taters. But what if I don't have a food processor or blender? Hey, don't laugh. Years ago my husband won a microwave and I made him return it. But we do have a microwave today.
Can we make faux potatoe salad?

Hi Goldie! Not everyone has a food processor - some just use a knife. I used a potato masher to mash my cauliflower when making the mashed ones - you could also mash them with a big spoon it just won't be as smooth as in a food processor. Do you have a mixer? You could use it to beat them if you want a smoother texture.

Connie

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Hi, Goldie! Just like Connie says, you can mash your cauliflower a bunch of different ways. In addition to a fork or big slotted spoon, you can use a potato masher or potato ricer. Anything that presses the cooked cauliflower through small to medium-sized holes. Try 'em mixed with sour cream, instead of butter or cream cheese, too! That's my current favorite!

Ed
Atkins-9/10/03
213/185/170

Before I started mashing mine with my handheld blender I would just overcook them a little and smash them up with a fork. They are really great!

I had them for the first time last night. I had trouble with my blender, so I ended up just mashing it with a fork. I liked it, but the cream cheese made it a little to rich for my tastes. I'm going to try it with a little less and see how it comes out. I can see/taste the potential though!

Cherub
304/284/160
5'9"
Started Atkins 01/04/04

I don't have much experience with a food processor, but I'm thinking it would liquefy the vegetables too quickly. A fork or some other mashing tool works just fine.

Barb L.
Started Atkins January 2003
162/137/130

I actually brought a food processor to make the faux potatoes (well, I always wanted one anyway) so I've never made them without it. My "everyday" version uses heavy cream, butter, salt and pepper. Unlike potatoes which seem to need lots of butter and cream, the cauliflower doesn't need too much of either. I whip the heck out of them at high speed and they are so silky smooth that my friend who isn't a low-carber couldn't get enough of them when she recently visited me. I've never had the processor liquefy them.

Esther

I too only use a bit of heavy cream and butter and salt and pepper.

Before I hauled Cousin Art (aka Cuisinart) out of the top cupboard to which he had been relegated, I used my hand mixer to make mashed cauliflower, which is how I always made mashed potatoes anyway! Just cook them til they are VERY VERY tender and make sure to drain well; then I put them back on the heat to evaporate as much liquid as possible, stirring so they wouldn't burn. Then I added butter, cream cheese, and seasonings to my taste. Really good!

I must say though that the consistency is more to my liking using the food processor, which now sits on a lower shelf, since I seem to use it MUCH more often on this WOE!

As for faux tater salad, the cauliflower is excellent. IN fact DH and I have decided we like it BETTER than potato salad! Cut the 'flower into chunks and steam or microwave til just tender, then use your "regular" potato salad recipe - mayo, mustard, celery seed, chopped celery, dill pickle relish, sliced green onions, sliced green pimento-stuffed olives, crispy bacon bits, chopped red bell pepper - that's what goes into mine! Boy it's good. A little salt and pepper and I couldn't care LESS about potatoes!

Char

Don't squat with yer spurs on!