Thanksgiving dishes are all about mounds of creamy mashed potatoes or cheesy potatoes, stuffing made with cubes of bread and casseroles with crunchy breadcrumb or cracker toppings. Those dishes are Thanksgiving classics after all.
But for many, those traditional Thanksgiving dishes present carb overload and break the carb bank. For most people who follow a low-carb or keto diet in its intended form — a diet that aims to reduce refined carbohydrates — Thanksgiving is not one of those low-carb-friendly meals.
Creamy Keto cauliflower.
But you can reduce the carb load of many traditional dishes, making the meal more manageable.
If you want to try cutting back during the holidays, today’s recipes are our three favorites. While they are not completely free of carbohydrates, they will help get you started.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.
Cauliflower Mash
Serves: 6-8 / Prep time: 20 minutes / Total time: 45 minutesThis recipe can be made at least 2 hours or longer in advance and reheated.
1 large head cauliflower, core removed and broken into florets¾ to 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided⅓ cup heavy whipping cream or half-and-half 3 tablespoons butter, divided½ teaspoon garlic powder or to tasteSalt and black pepper to tasteFresh sliced chives or green onions
Place 2 inches of water into a large pot fitted with a vegetable steamer. Add cauliflower florets and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, cover and cook 10 to 12 minutes or until cauliflower is soft. Drain. When cauliflower is cool enough to handle, wrap cauliflower in a clean tea (or non-terrycloth) dish towel. Squeeze the cauliflower in the towel to rid of as much moisture as possible. Transfer to a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Process until cauliflower is smooth. Or mash until desired consistency. Stir in the whipping cream, 2 tablespoons butter, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in ¾ cup cheese, cream, butter and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl. If desired, sprinkle…