Skinny Cheddar-Chive Smashed Potatoes

Skinny-Cheddar-Chive-Smashed-Potatoes

When the longer, darker, colder evenings of fall arrive, it’s a sure thing:

My cravings for a piping hot bowl of good, old-fashioned mashed potatoes kick in.

So that’s why, throughout the cold months, I go back again and again to this “skinny” recipe, seasoned with 0-calorie herbs like bay leaves and chives and packed with nutritious cauliflower (you’d never guess it’s hidden in there!)

These potatoes are really tasty too, with lots of flavorful cheddar in every bite, so they’re guaranteed to satisfy those cravings.

Skinny-Cheddar-and-Chive-Smashed-Potatoes

I know when a person is thinking about nutritious dishes, mashed potatoes is one of the last things likely coming to mind.

This recipe, though, is surprisingly really healthy.

For a very generously portioned side serving, there are only 2 grams of saturated fat and 190 calories.

More importantly, this dish provides a fair amount of fat-burning calcium, iron, and filling protein.

As well as tons of Vitamin C (for a healthy immune system), fiber (to detox the body), and potassium (for healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels).

Skinny-Chive-and-Cheddar-Smashed-Potatoes

This is comfort food with a very healthy side bonus!

(Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the complete, printable recipe.)

ingredients

Here are all the ingredients you’ll need to get started.

chopping-potatoes

Begin by grabbing some small russet potatoes and rinsing and scrubbing them thoroughly.

Since these are “smashed” potatoes, there’s no need to take the time to peel them. (A lot of the nutrition in potatoes lies within the skin!)

Just slice them in half lengthwise and quarter each half.

chopping-chives

Then grab some fresh chives and chop them up with a sharp knife or kitchen shears.

Chop up lots and lots of chives.

I add a heaping handful to this recipe, because I strongly believe you can never have enough chives.

They’re a nutritious green herb with 0 calories.

And their flavor (slightly onion-y, but so much lighter and more delicate) is really, really tasty.

bay-leaves

Add the potatoes and bay leaf to a stock pot and fill the pot about halfway with water.

I love using bay leaves when cooking potatoes.

They last a good long time when you buy them dried, and they add additional flavor to the potatoes for 0 calories.

Salt the water to help bring out additional flavor in the potatoes, and bring the water to a boil.

Meanwhile, place the cauliflower florets in a heat-safe container (or, many varieties come packaged in microwaveable bags) and microwave until completely thawed.

boiling-cauliflower-and-potatoes

When the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork, add the thawed cauliflower to the pot.

Turn off the heat.

Drain the potatoes and cauliflower, and remove the bay leaf.

Then transfer the vegetables to a large mixing bowl.

Add the chopped chives, as well as some extra virgin olive oil.

high-quality-extra-virgin-olive-oil

Since the oil is used at the very end, the flavor really counts.

So I recommend a high quality extra virgin olive oil for this recipe.

Bonus: as opposed to butter, olive oil is heart healthy!

Smashed-Potatoes-with-Cauliflower

Also add some grated cheddar cheese for plenty of tasty richness.

I love to use an extra sharp cheddar, which offers the most flavor.

The potatoes should still be hot enough to instantly melt all that delicious cheddar.

Season the potatoes thoroughly with salt and pepper.

Next, mash the potatoes and cauliflower to a purée with a potato masher.

Skinny-Cheddar-and-Chive-Smashed-Potatoes

Then serve yourself a delicious bowlful while they’re still piping hot!

Skinny-Cheddar-Chive-Smashed-Potatoes

These smashed potatoes are really flavorful, rich, and cheesy.

Meat-and-Potatoes-Guy says he can’t distinguish the taste of cauliflower in these potatoes, and neither can I.

Mostly what you’ll notice is the delicious flavor of fresh chives and salty cheddar.

Skinny-Chive-and-Cheddar-Smashed-Potatoes

This is a dish to satisfy your craving, and nourish your body too!

Here is the complete, printable recipe:

Skinny Cheddar-Chive Smashed Potatoes
 
Author: 
Nutrition Information
  • Serving size: 4
  • Calories: 190
  • Fat: 7.8g
  • Saturated fat: 2.3g
  • Carbohydrates: 26.3g
  • Sugar: 4.3g
  • Sodium: 86mg
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 6.2g
  • Cholesterol: 7mg
Recipe type: Healthy Side Dish
Total Time: 20 minutes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 3 small russet potatoes, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 16 ounces frozen cauliflower florets
  • 3 tablespoons chives, chopped
  • 1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Add the potatoes and bay leaf to a stock pot and fill the pot about halfway with water. Salt the water, and bring the water to a boil.
  2. Meanwhile, place the cauliflower florets in a heat-safe container (or, many varieties come packaged in microwaveable bags) and microwave until completely thawed.
  3. When the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork, add the thawed cauliflower to the pot. Turn off the heat. Drain the potatoes and cauliflower, and remove the bay leaf.
  4. Transfer the vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Add the chives, olive oil, and the grated cheddar cheese. Season thoroughly with salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes and cauliflower to a purée with a potato masher. Serve immediately.

 

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5 Comments

  1. October 22, 2013 / 11:59 am

    With the cooler weather, comfort food really sounds so good and satisfying. I love the addition of the cauliflower and chives to the potatoes – and who can resist a little sharp cheddar cheese 🙂

  2. October 22, 2013 / 12:40 pm

    I have never tried this trick of adding cauliflower to my mashed potatoes, but I love the idea of it. These potatoes sound so flavorful and comforting!

  3. October 24, 2013 / 4:14 am

    Mashed potatoes and mashed cauliflower have both made an appearance on our table… But why not the two together?!! This is genius. Happening tonight!

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