Hidden vegetables

The only vegetable I don't like is cauliflower. I'll eat a pound of sprouts, but never any cauliflower. This "Mac & Cheese" dish has hidden cauliflower and it's damn good. Adding the cauliflower throws in a bunch of fiber and vitamin C. Cauliflower, broccoli and strawberries all have more vitamin C than an orange does.

Hidden cauliflower in mac & cheese:

1 head cauliflower, coarsely chopped (don’t buy frozen! It’ll get mushy)
12 ounces whole wheat or Jerusalem artichoke flour elbow macaroni (or the unhealthy kind, if you want)
4 slices whole wheat bread, torn (let the bread sit out a few hours so it gets a bit hard)
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
½ cup milk (soy, 1% or skim is cool)
1 ½ cups grated organic low fat extra-sharp cheddar cheese (you can use soy cheese too)
1 ½ cups low fat sour cream
A few good shakes of smoked paprika (optional- but paprika makes anything lovely)
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Olive oil
Sea salt and fresh black pepper


Heat oven to 400. Cook the pasta according to the package directions and add the cauliflower during the last 3 minutes of cooking time; drain.

Meanwhile, pulse the bread in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Add the parsley, 2 tablespoons of the oil and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper and pulse to combine; set aside. If you don't have a food processor, use your blender.

Return the pasta pot to medium heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the onion, ¾ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, just until soft, like 5 minutes. Mix in the pasta, cauliflower, cheese, sour cream, milk and mustard.

Transfer to a shallow 3-quart baking ramekin or baking dish, sprinkle with the bread crumbs and paprika and bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Try no to eat the entire bowl yourself, pig.


And for some odd reason, this is really good with steamed peas. Just plain old peas. (Add some Smart Balance and sea salt for additional flavor). It reminds me of something a mom in the 1950's would serve while her hair was up in a Beehive.