We switched from Mashed Potatoes in my house to Mashed Cauliflower because of the carbohydrate difference (due to my daughter's diabetes). The problem is that we actually like it but it takes too long to prepare.
So I tried a little experiment. I ordered some FREEZE DRIED cauliflower from one of those survivalist/preparedness suppliers. The brand I bought was SARATOGA FARMS.
Now I'm not well versed on freeze dried foods, been quite awhile since my backpacking days. I ordered a few cans (#10 size) and was surprised how light they were, almost like they were empty! Opened one up and it was filled tiny shrunken bits of cauliflower. Popped one in my mouth and was very pleasantly surprised that it tasted good, if a bit crunchy.
So here was my plan, toss it in a food processor, grind it up and treat it like mashed potato flakes. I added some dried minced onions and some garlic salt to the food processor, ground it up and the entire contents of a #10 size can fit into a Quart size Mason jar.
The Taste Test:
Boiled some water in the tea kettle, took a pat of butter and 1/2 filled a small bowl with my homemade mashed cauliflower flakes. Mixed it up, let it sit for a few minutes. First thing I noticed when I added the hot water was the aroma, it smelled like freshly steamed cauliflower. Taste was very good, not quite the same as fresh, but still darn good.
The Downside:
Cost. No way around it, the cost is high. Fresh cauliflower in the store is pretty inexpensive. One full head feeds the family as a side dish. Same quantity freeze dried is probably 4x the price. What is the cost of convenience? I'm not sure its worth the price, but it will be added to the pantry. Will it be a substitute for fresh? Yes, but only sometimes. Clearly the fresh cooked is the smarter answer, but in a pinch the freeze dried will round out a meal in only a couple of minutes.
So I tried a little experiment. I ordered some FREEZE DRIED cauliflower from one of those survivalist/preparedness suppliers. The brand I bought was SARATOGA FARMS.
Now I'm not well versed on freeze dried foods, been quite awhile since my backpacking days. I ordered a few cans (#10 size) and was surprised how light they were, almost like they were empty! Opened one up and it was filled tiny shrunken bits of cauliflower. Popped one in my mouth and was very pleasantly surprised that it tasted good, if a bit crunchy.
So here was my plan, toss it in a food processor, grind it up and treat it like mashed potato flakes. I added some dried minced onions and some garlic salt to the food processor, ground it up and the entire contents of a #10 size can fit into a Quart size Mason jar.
The Taste Test:
Boiled some water in the tea kettle, took a pat of butter and 1/2 filled a small bowl with my homemade mashed cauliflower flakes. Mixed it up, let it sit for a few minutes. First thing I noticed when I added the hot water was the aroma, it smelled like freshly steamed cauliflower. Taste was very good, not quite the same as fresh, but still darn good.
The Downside:
Cost. No way around it, the cost is high. Fresh cauliflower in the store is pretty inexpensive. One full head feeds the family as a side dish. Same quantity freeze dried is probably 4x the price. What is the cost of convenience? I'm not sure its worth the price, but it will be added to the pantry. Will it be a substitute for fresh? Yes, but only sometimes. Clearly the fresh cooked is the smarter answer, but in a pinch the freeze dried will round out a meal in only a couple of minutes.
I suggested that in Bob's other cauliflower thread! lol
