Good heavens.... life has just been crazy. I just can't seem to catch up and find time to devote to this blog. I haven't, however, stopped cooking. Last month, I received a fantastic package from The Laughing Cow Cheese people, which included all the flavors of their "new" Smooth Sensations Cream Cheese Spreads. ( disclaimer: I received this product for free to review)
Being a huge fan of The Laughing Cow Cheese wedges, I was anxious to give this new product a try. This stuff is fantastic! There is a wide variety of flavors to please every palate and in true Laughing Cow Cheese form, each wedge of the light variety is only 45 calories! And you gotta love the individually wrapped, perfectly portioned wedges. Something other cream cheeses don't have to offer. This also makes them perfectly portable as well.
They all, of course, are great on bagels or bagel thins. My daughter really likes the Strawberries and Cream flavor. I am partial to the Garden Vegetable, which I enjoy putting inside my eggbeater omelets in the morning. It is also great with celery sticks for an afternoon snack! But to bump it up a notch, I created the most delicious creamy cauliflower mash with the plain variety...although, I can totally see the Garden Vegetable flavor working well in this recipe too!
Creamy, cheesy and deliciously healthy alternative to a starchy side dish.
"Smooth Sensations" Creamy Cauliflower Mash
an original creation from Renee's Kitchen Adventures
Servings - approx. 6 Serving size - 1/6th of recipe Points Plus per Serving- 2 Points Plus
Calories- 70.3, Total Fat - 3.2g, Carb. - 8g, Protein - 4g, Fiber - 3.5g
1 large head of raw cauliflower ( 6 - 7 in dia), cut into pieces
1 TBS light margarine spread (such as I can't believe it's not butter light)
3 TBS fat free creamer
salt and pepper, to taste
dash of garlic powder
1. Steam the cauliflower ( either in a steam basket on the stove or in the microwave) until quite tender. It should break apart easily with a fork. Drain off any water.
2. In a large bowl, add the cooked hot cauliflower, light margarine spread, fat free creamer, laughing cow smooth Sensations cheese wedges, and garlic powder. With an electric mixer, mix until creamy and smooth. ( it won't be smooth like potatoes...but most pieces of the cauliflower should be very small) Taste and season with salt and pepper, to your liking.
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This made a super easy healthy and tasty side dish for our meal of grilled steaks. To be honest, my hubby thought it was mashed potatoes until he tasted it. No, it doesn't taste like mashed potatoes, but it is a great alternative.
As I mentioned, life has just been so super crazy. I have fallen behind on my blog and comments on other blogs, and in fact, have had little time to even read my favorite ones. I have several recipes I want to share....pictures all ready to upload, but the truth is, it takes me a bit of time get a post written and published, since I work out the nutritional stats and the WW points. So finding a block of time free for this has proven to be challenging. My posts will be sporadic until I get back into a more normal life pattern, when ever that may be! lol
Come next month, I will have two kids in college, which seems absolutely surreal to me. How and when did I get so old? Of course, until they settle into their dorm rooms and apartments, there will be forms to fill out, deadlines to meet and bills to pay. Oh the bills to pay! haha Also on my agenda for the upcoming month is a wedding shower and wedding to attend, as well as a graduation party to plan and host. Never a dull moment.
I did find time to go on vacation to the beach. It was enjoyable as always. I didn't really eat very conducive to weight loss while on vacation, and am now paying the price for my indulgences. I think I need to make up another BIG batch of this cauliflower mash to help get me back on track!
Hope everyone is doing well!!!
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