By Dave's surgery next Monday. Final prep appointments this week. He is calm. I am nervous.
Drove Tuesday, short.
Gayle stable.
Amber will be home for Dave's surgery recovery the weekend after.
Sunday: pot roast. Dave ate heartily. No eating after midnight Sunday.
That Sunday pot roast dinner was about more than food — it was the last real meal Dave and I would share before everything shifted into medical territory, and I wanted every part of it to feel substantial and warm. I made this Asiago Mashed Cauliflower alongside the roast because it’s rich and satisfying without being heavy, the kind of side dish that says I made this for you without making a fuss. Dave ate well. That was enough.
Asiago Mashed Cauliflower
Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 20 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded Asiago cheese, plus more for topping
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Steam the cauliflower. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets and cook for 12–15 minutes until very tender when pierced with a fork. Drain thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture.
- Sauté the garlic. In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat.
- Mash and blend. Transfer drained cauliflower to a food processor or use a hand mixer. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, sour cream, sautéed garlic, and Asiago cheese. Process or beat until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Season and adjust. Taste the mash and add salt and pepper as needed. If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash of warm milk or cream and pulse briefly to incorporate.
- Serve. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with additional shredded Asiago and chopped chives if desired. Serve hot alongside your main dish.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 185 | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Carbs: 9g | Fiber: 3g | Sodium: 410mg