Microwave Mashed Cauliflower Recipe + Raley's Meal Kits (2024)

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Thanks to Raley’s for allowing me to share their microwave mashed cauliflower recipe that is part of their Sirloin Beef meal kit.

Microwave Mashed Cauliflower Recipe + Raley's Meal Kits (1)

Even on nights when I don’t have a lot of time to cook, I want to feed my family a nutritious meal made with wholesome ingredients. When I want to cut corners without compromising on quality, I turn to trimmed cuts of meat and precut vegetables to save time on meal prep. Raley’s has just made things even easier with their new, flexible meal kits.

At my local Raley’s, they have created a meal kit display near the rotisserie chickens. It includes complete meal kit recipes, rotisserie chicken “quickkits,” and “build your own kits” from customizablemeal components.

Microwave Mashed Cauliflower Recipe + Raley's Meal Kits (2)

The complete meal kits are just that and include everything youneed to make dinner like the protein, the sides, and the spices. Basically, they are a meal kit without the hassle of a subscription plan. You can pick them up when you need a break without having to worry about a pre-planned delivery schedule. So when my husband was out of town last week, I picked up several mealkits at my local Raley’s. I was impressed not only with the quality of the meals,but with the simple techniques used to create the flavorful dishes.

Microwave Mashed Cauliflower Recipe + Raley's Meal Kits (3)

I am going to share a couple of the techniques from the Sirloin Beef Meal Kit as well as the recipe for the microwavable herbed goat cheese mashed cauliflower, which is included in the kit, so you can see how simple these meals are to make. You don’t need any special equipment, and the kit directions include pictures. Gourmet cooking does not need to be complex!

How to Crush Peppercorns

The steak is served with a green peppercorn sauce, which tastes amazing. All of the ingredients are already in the kit, including the green peppercorns. But instead of just telling you to crush the peppercorns and leaving you to figure out how to do that, they have a picture of the peppercorns on a cutting board and tell you to crush the peppercorns with the bottom of a pan. This is an easy solution for those who don’t have a mortar and pestle.

Deglaze the Pan

Deglazing the pan is the secret behind amazing sauces and gravies.

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The sirloin steaks are seared in a skillet, which is a fast way to cook the steaks, but it also leaves browned bits and caramelized drippings from the meat in the pan. Those browned bits, or the fond as chef call it, serve as the base for the green peppercorn sauce. How do you deglaze a pan? You add the crushed peppercorns, red wine vinegar, beef base, and water to the pan. Then you use a spoon to scrape those bits off the bottom of the pan while stirring the sauce. It is a basic technique and easy to do, but it yields a flavorful sauce that makes your dinner taste like it was cooked by a professional chef.

Microwave Mashed Cauliflower Recipe + Raley's Meal Kits (5)

The sirloin beef meal kit includes 2 sides: herbed goat cheese mashed cauliflower and wilted baby spinach with garlic. Both of these dishes only require a few ingredients and a short time to make. Below you will find directions for how to make mashed cauliflower in the microwave.

Microwavable Mashed Cauliflower Recipe with Herbed Goat Cheese

This recipe is from Raley’s Sirloin Beef Meal Kit, and all of the necessary ingredients are included in the kit. When you make the full Sirloin Beef Meal Kit, the directions for the mashed cauliflower are intertwined with the directions for the steaks and spinach so that all three dishes are complete at the same time.

Ingredients:

  • 12 – 14 ounces cauliflower florets
  • 1-ounce garlic herb goat cheese
  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • dash of salt
  • pinch of pepper

Directions:

  1. Place the cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on high for 5 minutes. (Leave the cauliflower in the microwave until you are ready to mash it).Microwave Mashed Cauliflower Recipe + Raley's Meal Kits (6)
  2. Remove the cauliflower from the microwave and add the herbed goat cheese; season with salt and pepper, and mash it with a fork.Microwave Mashed Cauliflower Recipe + Raley's Meal Kits (7)
  3. Add 2 tablespoons of cream and stir.Microwave Mashed Cauliflower Recipe + Raley's Meal Kits (8)

I bought another Sirloin Beef Meal Kit this week and made it for my husband and sons one night when I was going to be out. When I came home I asked my husband if he liked the mashed cauliflower and he said, “That was cauliflower?” He did not realize that he was eating cauliflower; he seriously thought he was eating mashed potatoes!

Raley’s Meal Kits

On the website, it states that the meal kits serve 2 people, but these would be large restaurant-type servings. I found that they served 3 people in my family, making it a good solution when one of us is away from home at dinner time. However, we usually only consume 3 – 4 ounces of meat in one meal.

Meal Kit Recipes

I shared the tips and a recipe from the Sirloin Beef Meal Kitabove, which includes Steak with Peppercorn Sauce, mashed cauliflower with herbed goat cheese, and baby spinach. This was a hit with the whole family.

Other Options:

Raley’s Quick Kits, such as Mole Enchiladas, come with everything you need to create a recipe except the protein. You just need to pick up a rotisserie chicken and use some of the meatto quickly complete the recipe. The quick kits are aconvenient way to use rotisserie chicken for multiplemeals.

Save time while customizing yourdinner withRaley’smeal components. In the meal kit display, you will find 9 sauces, 8 pre-cooked whole grains and starches, 8 prepped vegetables, and freshly trimmed cuts of meat. You can mix and match the components to build your own meal kit.

Printable Recipe for Microwave Mashed Cauliflower

Microwave Mashed Cauliflower Recipe + Raley's Meal Kits (9)

Print

Microwave Mashed Cauliflower Recipe

A quick and easy recipe for Mashed Cauliflower.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Mashed Cauliflower Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 7 minutes minutes

Servings 3

Calories 121kcal

Author Evelyn Miliate

Ingredients

  • 12 - 14 ounces cauliflower florets
  • 1- ounce garlic herb goat cheese
  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • dash salt
  • pinch pepper

Instructions

  • Place the cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on high for 5 minutes. (Leave the cauliflower in the microwave until you are ready to mash it).

  • Remove the cauliflower from the microwave and add the herbed goat cheese; season with salt and pepper to taste, and mash it with a fork.

  • Add 2 tablespoons of cream and stir.

Nutrition

Calories: 121kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 745mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 245IU | Vitamin C: 118mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 1mg

Microwave Mashed Cauliflower Recipe + Raley's Meal Kits (10)

More Cauliflower Recipes

How to Make Cauliflower Rice

Microwave Mashed Cauliflower Recipe + Raley's Meal Kits (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep mashed cauliflower from being watery? ›

If you find that that the cauliflower you make is watery it's because you are not drying it out properly on the stove after it's boiled. The trick to the perfect cauliflower mash is to drain it really well and let that water evaporate in a pan on medium heat for 5-6 minutes before it's mashed.

What do you add to cauliflower to thicken mash? ›

You can add a litle softened cream cheese to the pot in the final step and stir until melted. Or you can add a keto thickener like glucomannan or xanthan gum. Be sure to whisk it in well when the mashed cauliflower is hot. You don't need more than about ¼ teaspoon per head of cauliflower.

How long does it take to steam cauliflower in the microwave? ›

Place pieces in a microwave-safe bowl, and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl, 2 to 3 tablespoons. Place a plate over the bowl and microwave for 3 to 4 minutes, depending on how much bite you like in your cauliflower, how large the pieces are, and how powerful your microwave is.

Why is mashed cauliflower better than mashed potatoes? ›

Cauliflower is one of the world's most versatile vegetables. Not only does it make a perfect pizza crust and a tasty fried rice, it's also a surprisingly delicious alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. This Mashed Cauliflower is lower in carbs, higher in nutrients, and tastes amazing!

How do you make runny mashed thicker? ›

You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.

How do you thicken cauliflower puree? ›

Using a blender or immersion blender, blend cauliflower and liquid to form a very smooth purée. Season with salt. (You can adjust purée consistency as needed: Thicken by cooking down further while stirring often over low heat in a wide nonstick skillet, or thin by whisking in liquid, such as stock, cream, or water.)

Why is my cauliflower mash grainy? ›

If the head is loose and there is a lot of visible stem, you will likely end up with a grainy cauliflower mash from the thick membrane on the outer stem. If using stems and they seem thick, peel them with a paring knife to get that membrane off and you will be rewarded with the creamiest cauliflower puree of your life.

Why is my cauliflower gratin watery? ›

The watery problem happens when the cauliflower is either overcooked or not drained well enough after a quick blanching.

How do you know when steamed cauliflower is done? ›

Add 1-inch of water to a medium-to-large pot and bring to boil over high heat. Add the steamer insert, then put the cauliflower in the insert. Steam for 6-8 minutes, until easily pierced with a fork.

How do you make steamed vegetables taste better in the microwave? ›

Lemon pepper is also tasty sprinkled over freshly-steamed microwave green beans. If you have an herb garden, try throwing in a few tablespoons of fresh herbs before steaming. Dill is great on carrots, and mint goes well with peas; or try chives with potatoes.

Is it better to boil or steam cauliflower? ›

Cooked cauliflower florets keep their shape best when steamed (5-10 mins) – remember to place them upright in the steamer. It can also be boiled (takes 5-10 mins for florets; around 10 mins for a whole cauliflower). For both cooking methods, test regularly with the tip of a knife to make sure they don't overcook.

Which is healthier, cauliflower or potato? ›

Nutritionally, cauliflower is lighter in calories and carbs than potatoes and is more nutrient-dense. That's why it's popular among the low carb and weight loss communities.

Does mashed cauliflower really taste like mashed potatoes? ›

Mashed Cauliflower may be low in carbs BUT they taste just as good as regular Mashed Potatoes. The secret lies in flavouring them with just the right ingredients to take them from bland to mouthwatering. If you haven't tried this before, you will fall in love with Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes!

Is cauliflower a carb or protein? ›

In 1 cup of chopped cauliflower, you'll get 5.3 g of total carbs, 3.2 g of net carbs, 0.3 g of fat, and 2.1 g of protein, per the USDA. Not to mention, you get 320 mg of potassium, making this vegetable a good source of the nutrient.

What can I use to squeeze water out of cauliflower? ›

Once the riced cauliflower has been cooked (or thawed), transfer it to a clean, thin dishtowel. Wrap up the steamed rice in the dishtowel, twist it up, then SQUEEZE all the excess moisture out! (Be careful if your cauliflower is still hot-- let it cool before handling.)

How do you squeeze water out of cooked cauliflower? ›

Transfer the riced cauliflower to the center of a clean dish towel. Arrange the towel filled with cauliflower over a small bowl, then squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the cooked cauliflower. It might not feel like there's excess moisture at first, but you may be surprised by how much liquid is released!

Why is my cauliflower cheese always watery? ›

Cauliflower cheese can go watery if the cauliflower is overcooked. Overcooked cauliflower releases water, which will seep into the rest of the dish. So even if your sauce was thick when it went in the oven, if its in there too long, the water from the cauliflower will cause it to go watery.

Why is my cauliflower soggy? ›

If you cut all the way through the floret, you're cutting through the cell structure of the curd — and when you cook it, that part will get mushy. Easier still: Place the larger florets on a baking sheet, sprinkle with a little olive oil and roast them.

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