Twice Baked

Dark, dreary, windy and cold. And it's been this way since Sunday. When the going gets tough, this gal heads straight into the kitchen to whip up some good old fashioned comfort food. 

Wait. We don't eat pasta anymore. No potatoes either. Rice? Nope. It sucks, I'll be the first to admit it, but discovering the joy of cauliflower and decking it out like it was your favorite starch does the trick every time. 

Deb's Twice Baked Mashed Cauliflower
One big head of cauliflower
Cream (as in heavy cream)
Butter (as in the real deal, please don't use that horrid fake margarine crap)
Bacon (as in organic if possible and from the Piggery if you live around here. It is the BEST bacon you've ever eaten in your entire life. Would I lie to you?)
Grated Pepper Jack, sharp cheddar and provolone cheese (and a lot of it - at least a cup)
Five or six green onions chopped fine 

Ok, this dish is not lo-cal, so just get over that right now. Most importantly it is low-carb and that's what matters the most.

Preheat the oven to 350, grease a baking dish and get going!

• Boil the cauliflower florets 'in a big pot of salted water til tender.
• Chop the bacon into small pieces and fry it up. Try not to eat it all as it's cooking.
• Do not throw the fat away. Well, if you must okay, but try to at least save a little bit for later. 
• Drain the cauliflower. Scoop into a food processor in small batches. A little cauliflower, a little cream, a knob of butter. Whiz away!
• Dump it into a big bowl and add in the bacon, cheese and green onions, along with with lots and lot of freshly ground black pepper. This is comfort food after all. Give the chipotle powder bottle a few good shakes and if you're feeling adventuresome, shake some smoked paprika right on in there too. Stir 'til combined and bake about 40 minutes. 

 

I double dare you not to sit down and eat it straight out of the pan while it's hot. Good luck with that. I would post a photo of it here in all its glory, but we've already dived into it...