Move over mashed potatoes, there's a new, classier version in town! I'm serious when I say you may never make mashed potatoes again once you try this recipe for creamy cauliflower & celery root puree. It's lighter, more flavourful, and more nutritious than potatoes and comes together in no time!
I am the biggest mashed potato fan but I honestly, can't get enough of this puree! My husband almost fell off his chair when I said I may never make mashed potatoes again. Me, the girl who used to eat a bowl of mashed potatoes, with nothing else but butter, for dinner when she was in collage (and that was Chef's school to boot!).
What is Celery root (celeriac)?
It's likely one of those things you have seen in the produce section and wondered "what the heck is that" It's a gnarly looking root that you would never guess is so delicious!
In a nut shell, celery root (celeriac) is just that...the root of the celery plant. It has an earthy, sweet and slightly celery flavour and is easy to store and very versatile. It's also low in carbs for a root vegetable and packed with nutrients. It's high in fiber, and a good source of vitamins and minerals including antioxidants, making it beneficial for gut health.
Try to choose ones that have a heavy, firm feel. Also, the smoother it is the easier it will be to peel. A regular vegetable peeler should work but you may need to use a paring knife on some of the more bumpy parts.
Ingredients for this recipe
- Cauliflower
- Celery root (celeriac)
- Cream or milk
- Butter
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley and dried chili flakes (optional)
Substitutions
Cauliflower & celery root - you can make this recipe using all cauliflower or celery root.
Cream or milk - use your favourite non-dairy milk or cream or vegetable or chicken stock. This puree can also be made without adding any extra liquid. It will be thicker and not quite as creamy.
Butter - vegan butter or olive oil work well or you can add extra milk or cream.
Can I use frozen cauliflower? - Yes absolutely! Be sure to drain it really well after steaming as it will retain more water. You can dry it out further by putting it back in the pot after draining. Place it on a medium-high burner and shake or stir until cauliflower dried out.
How to make it
- Prep. and cook the celery root and cauliflower. Celery root is peeled, cut into chunks and boiled the same way you cook potatoes.
- Steam the cauliflower. When making a puree I like to steam the cauliflower. This way it is less watery so you spend less time draining it and drying it out. However, if you are boiling it, it can be added to the celery root after 10 minutes and everything drained together.
- Melt the butter. Add everything to a food processor, blender, or use a hand blender to puree everything to a smooth and creamy consistency. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and chili flakes (optional).
Storage
Cauliflower and celery root puree with keep, covered, in the fridge for 5 days.
What can I serve it with?
This puree can replace mashed potatoes wherever you might use them but also makes a delicious and elegant side dish to any meal!
- RED WINE BRAISED SHORT RIBS
- PORK MEDALLIONS IN CREAMY MUSHROOM SAUCE
- TEMPEH AND ROASTED CHICKPEA CURRY
- HONEY MUSTARD CHICKEN THIGHS
Creamy Cauliflower and Celery Root Puree
Equipment
- food processor, blender, or hand blender
Ingredients
- 1 lb cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 lb celery root, peeled and cut into 1 ½” cubes
- ½ cup cream or milk
- 2-3 tablespoon butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium sized pot bring 4-5 cups of water to a boil. Enough to submerge the celery root. Add a punch (about 1 tbsp.) of salt. Boil celery root for 20-25 minutes or until very tender.
- Bring a small amount of water to a boil in a steamer pot for the cauliflower. Steam cauliflower for 10-15 minutes or until soft and tender.
- Strain the vegetables and place in a food processor or blender. Add the cream, butter and salt. Puree until smooth. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and/or chili flakes (optional).
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat in the microwave adding garnishes before serving.
Notes
Sue says
SO amazing!
I just found cauliflower on sale and went a little bazonkers with this recipe in mind. Can the purée be frozen?
Andrea says
Hi Sue!
Yes you can freeze it! So happy you enjoyed it!
Allison Arnott says
Can I give 6 stars? This is the second time I've made this. The first time I used the same method as mashed potatoes and they were pretty good. THIS time, I put the cooked veggies in my Ninja blender (per instructions) with salt, butter, heated milk and some of the cooking water, and NOW I see what all the fuss is about! I may never make mashed potatoes again.
Great with the chicken parm meatballs.
Thanks Andrea.
Allison
Andrea says
Hi Allison! I'm so happy you decided to try blending them! It produces such a silky smooth texture that can't be beat! Perfect with the meatballs! Thanks for your comment I'm so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Sue Dolan says
Holy amazeballs!!!
AWESOME
Made 3 batches: one with blobs of roasted garlic, 1 with some Boursin herb and chive cheese (cut down on the butter) and one of your original. SO never going back to mashed again!
Would this count as a veggie or as a heavier carb ie for lunch on the LL menu?
Andrea says
Hi Sue! All you additions sound amazing! It would be a veg on The Livy Method. So happy you enjoyed it!!
Melissa says
This was soooo good and very easy! My husband, while eating it, said "what is this?". I assume he said that because he saw me cutting up cauliflower earlier. He said it tasted like mashed potatoes....lol. He and I both loved it! Another great recipe. I love trying new ingredients, such as the celery root. The cashier had to ask what it was when I bought it and also asked what I was going to use it for.
Andrea says
I love this so much! Trying new things is always so fun and happy to hear you educated the cashier too! Lol
Pam says
Made this to serve with braised lamb shanks instead of mashed potatoes and it was a hit. Has so much more flavour than mashes spuds. Used the leftovers to make the Lentil Shepherd's Pie and cooked the lentils in the leftover broth from the lamb shanks..
Andrea says
Oh that all sounds divine! So happy you enjoyed the dishes!
Alexis T says
Andrea, so looking forward to making this with the celery root. I tried 4 different stores and can't find it so I will just use cauliflower tonight. One store is going to order the celeriac for me and it should be in next week. I have the short ribs cooking and oooooohhhhhhhh my, they smell divine!!!!
Andrea says
Hi Alexis! I'm so happy you found a store to order it in for you! Hope you enjoy the ribs!
Kim Boczkur says
Oh my goodness what an awesome alternative to potatoes will use this for sure lots of times. I have never seen or heard of celery root but what a wonderful taste it has. Tha ks again for another wonderful recipe to add to my collection.
Andrea says
Hi Kim!
I'm so happy you tried the celery root and enjoyed it! It's so fun to discover new ingredients!
Nicole says
Didn’t have cream/milk so made with sour cream. SO GOOD <3
Andrea says
Oooh! I bet that was delicious with the sour cream!! So happy you enjoyed it!
Anne-Marie says
Hi Andrea, not a fan of cauliflower but love mash potatoes so decided to try this recipe as I'm following the Gina Livy program. OMG it was delicious.... I loved it and will definitely make again.
Andrea says
I'm so happy you decided to try it and enjoyed it! So awesome!
Cindy says
This is awesome...I was reluctant to believe it would taste like mashed potatoes, but it does...gonna try the lentil shepherd pie with it today and freeze some meals. I'm also going to try to make potato skin stuffing without the skin...mix the cauliflower with bacon bits and chives and cheddar bits and top with sour cream. These are MY meals when hubby is having the alternative, but I secretly think mine is better:) Thanks Andrea
Andrea says
That all sound delicious Cindy! Thanks for posting!
Sabrina says
Excellent! Full of flavour, easy to make and satisfying! I added some cheese and green onion for garnish. Next time I will add some garlic and hold back some florets when I puree and add back in for a bit of a lumpy texture. So happy with this! I served with asparagus and fish.
Andrea says
Sounds like some awesome adjustments! 😀
Barbara says
Loved this! I had just bought some cauliflower when I saw this recipe, but didn't have any celeriac so made it without. It was so creamy and smooth. Topped it with steamed lemon salmon -- perfection!
Andrea says
Hi Barbara!
Oh that sounds delicious with the salmon! Happy you enjoyed it!
Bonnie Bertrand says
FANTASTIC. I'm not a fan of potatoes but my 8yr old likes them on occasion. I name the cauliflower ahead so he wouldn't see me. Had it with the pork medallions 👍👍❤ love love love it,and sooo good for you. My grandson didn't know the difference and asked for more. Thanks Andrea!
Andrea says
I love that your grandson didn't even notice and asked for more! 😂 That's the best compliment! Thank you for sharing and happy you enjoyed it!
Nancy Brodhagen says
Made this tonight. Have never seen or heard of celery root. Had to google how to peel it. This recipe is a keeper. Hard to not eat past satisfaction 😃
Anne says
Hi Andrea, made this tonight and it was a hit! Definitely a keeper!
Juliet says
Dinner tonight, with the short ribs.Excellent my hubby preferred the cauliflower / celeriac mash, to regular mash👍🏻
Heather says
I made this last night! I really enjoyed it. So much flavour. What a great alternative to mashed potatoes! So easy to make.
Andrea says
Thanks for your comment Heather! I'm so happy you enjoyed it!!
Kim P says
Made this tonight because I was making pasta for my family to have with Chicken Marsala. I don’t know if I will ever eat potatoes again. Amazing. 🤩
Andrea says
Right?! So good! I'm happy you enjoyed it!
Kim says
I have made this (and happen to have a celeriac in my fridge!). I roasted my cauli and celeriac, As I like a little of that caramelized flavor, and because as you mention it can otherwise be a bit wet. (I also added some of my roasted garlic, ….yum)
Kim says
Whoops and yes 5 stars for me!!
Andrea says
Hi Kim!
Roasting is a fantastic idea! That would elevate the flavours even more, and as you said, avoid too much moisture. I'll have to give that a try as well!
Cindy Voss says
Haven't tried it yet, but this cauliflower recipe is amazing for us Livy Loser's - no potatoes at dinner, but this is on plan - yay and thank you:)
And most of all, Happy ventures ahead wished to you:)
Andrea says
Hi Cindy! Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy the purée!