I had the worst dream the other night. The aliens landed, took away our planetary supply of potatoes, bread, and pasta, and then gleefully headed off for parts unknown. We were from that point on a world without joy. Well, it could happen, although the more likely scenario is that a well-meaning doctor or nutritionist will simply ban these items from your diet (or suggest you cut down). Regardless, I’m on a mission to discover new and satisfying ways to survive without these particular carb infusions, starting with potatoes.
It sounds impossible, but here’s my point: even for someone like me who could absolutely live on carbs, there are ways to enjoy guilt-free versions of our favorite potato dishes. Sure, there are many recipes out there for butternut squash fries or sweet potato fries, such as these yummy ones. But I’m digging a little deeper.
Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes”
Cauliflower turns out to be a rather miraculous ingredient, one which I now regret ignoring for so long (well, if truth must be told, I scoffed at pretty much every cauliflower I’d ever seen, but not anymore). These mashed “potatoes” offered a smooth consistency and the kind of mouthfeel that normally makes me swoon when eating regular mashed potatoes. But with half the carbs, double the protein and nearly half the calories, I’m never going to feel deprived ever again, knowing I can indulge this way!
Recipe: Chop the cauliflower into small florets and remove as much of the stems as possible. Steam or microwave the florets and put them into a food processor (or use a potato masher or fork) until they reach the desired creamy consistency. I added in some milk and margarine for the full effect, along with sea salt, pepper, and fresh chives. You can also try adding onions, garlic, red pepper flakes and other such items to taste.
I have high expectations for cauliflower, now that I’m on board. I’m also going to experiment with parsnips, as well.
Celery Root “Hash browns”
I was also tardy to the party when it comes to celery root. In fact, I’m fairly sure I’d never even seen a celery root before. But I saw someone on a cooking show making celery root hash browns, and my curiosity took over. I must admit I was skeptical, but the result was delicious. There is a slight celery flavor, but you can counteract it with spices and seasonings if desired.
Recipe: Celery roots are a bit scary looking, but just go with it. Simply rinse them well, peel them, and then dice them up. Fry them with a little butter or margarine, and add some salt, pepper, and seasonings to taste. If your frying pan has a lid, so much the better, as I think the steam helps cook them faster. I upped the flavor by adding in some ramps, which worked extremely well. Two cups of celery root have only 40 calories and 10 grams of carbs. Amazing.
Potato-Free Survival Guide
If you’re like me, cutting down on potatoes is a difficult adjustment. Hopefully, the following coping strategies will aid you in your efforts.
1. Accept why you’re swapping out your spuds.
Chances are, there is a specific reason you’re looking for ways to reduce your potato consumption. If you’re looking to reduce carbs, cut calories, or avoid blood sugar spikes, for example, then remember why you’re doing this whenever the cravings hit. Embrace and celebrate your commitment to becoming healthier.
2. It’s not necessarily permanent – take things one day at a time.
No one is saying (hopefully) that you have to eliminate potatoes forever. You probably just need some moderation. Look at it as going one meal or one day at a time with something healthier on your plate. That way, when you do have real potato dishes from time to time, they’ll be all the more delicious.
3. Be willing to experiment.
Hopefully, the above recipes illustrate that there are some great possibilities. Get creative with these ingredients and try others you’ve never cooked with before. Jot down what you do each time so that it will be easier to recreate and/or tweak your creations going forward.
Have I persuaded you that it’s not the end of the world to engage in occasional healthy food swaps? I think I’ve convinced myself, at least, so I’ll definitely continue exploring the options.
Main image credit: PublicDomainPictures
Additional images by: Merry Richter
