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Buy Now →In the cozy realm of comfort food, few dishes speak to the heart and stomach quite like Grandma’s German Cauliflower Cutlets paired with creamy mashed potatoes. This recipe is a delightful twist on traditional vegetable cutlets, blending the tender textures of cauliflower and potatoes with the aromatic flavors of herbs and spices. Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a dinner party or simply want to prepare a satisfying meal for your family, this dish is sure to warm everyone’s spirits with its home-cooked goodness.
Ingredients:
- 1 cauliflower
- 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling cauliflower)
- 1 kg potatoes
- 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling potatoes)
- 2 eggs
- 130g breadcrumbs
- Paprika
- Black pepper
- Salt
- 100g cheese
- Fresh parsley
- Olive oil
- 80g butter
- 100ml milk
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Cook the Cauliflower and Potatoes: Wash the cauliflower and cut it into florets. Boil in salted water for 10-12 minutes until tender. Similarly, peel and chop the potatoes and boil them until soft. Drain both and let them cool slightly.
- Mash and Mix: Mash the cauliflower and potatoes separately, then combine them in a mixing bowl with eggs, breadcrumbs, paprika, black pepper, salt, grated cheese, and chopped parsley.
- Shape and Bake: Grease a baking tray with olive oil, shape the mixture into round cutlets, and place them on the tray. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for about 40 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Prepare Creamy Mashed Potatoes: While the cutlets bake, mash the boiled potatoes with butter and milk until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Once the cutlets are done, serve them hot alongside the creamy mashed potatoes.
Preparation Time:
The overall time needed to prepare and cook this dish is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. This includes about 20 minutes of preparation to wash, chop, and boil the vegetables, followed by 10 minutes for mashing and mixing, and 40 minutes of baking time. The result is a beautifully golden and crispy cutlet that pairs perfectly with smooth, rich mashed potatoes.
Serving Suggestions:
- Pair with Sides: While creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing, these cauliflower cutlets also go wonderfully with a light garden salad, steamed vegetables, or a tangy coleslaw to balance the richness.
- Add a Sauce: For an extra touch of flavor, serve the cutlets with a dollop of herbed sour cream, a rustic tomato sauce, or a creamy mustard sauce.
- Garnish: Enhance the presentation and flavor by garnishing the dish with fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, or dill. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan or crumbled feta can also add a nice salty touch.
Cooking Tips:
- Consistent Size: When shaping the cutlets, ensure they are of uniform thickness. This helps them to cook evenly and achieve the same level of crispness on the outside.
- Prevent Sticking: Generously oil the baking tray and consider using parchment paper to prevent the cutlets from sticking. This makes for easier flipping and removal.
- Test for Seasoning: Before shaping the cutlets, taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remember that the flavors should be slightly bolder before cooking, as they will mellow slightly in the oven.
- Crispy Finish: For extra crispiness, consider flipping the cutlets halfway through the baking time. You can also increase the oven temperature for the last few minutes or broil them briefly.
- Make Ahead: These cutlets can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator before baking. You can also freeze the shaped, uncooked cutlets between layers of parchment paper and bake them straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Grandma’s German Cauliflower Cutlets with Creamy Mashed Potatoes offer a fantastic combination of flavors and textures. The cutlets themselves are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making them a perfect match for the velvety mashed potatoes. This dish is not only filling and satisfying but also includes a good portion of vegetables, making it a healthier option for those looking to enjoy comfort food with a nutritious twist.
Nutritional Benefits:
- Rich in Vitamins and Minerals:
- Cauliflower: This main ingredient is an excellent source of vitamins C and K, and provides a good amount of folate and choline, which are essential for brain health and energy metabolism.
- Potatoes: Potatoes contribute to your daily intake of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium, which are important for heart health and maintaining blood pressure.
- Dietary Fiber:
- Both cauliflower and potatoes are good sources of dietary fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health. Fiber helps to keep the digestive system running smoothly, can aid in weight management, and helps to lower cholesterol levels.
- Protein and Healthy Fats:
- Eggs and Cheese: These ingredients add protein to the dish, which is essential for muscle repair and growth. Cheese, especially if you choose a variety like cheddar or Parmesan, also adds calcium for bone health.
- Olive Oil: Used in the baking of the cutlets, olive oil is a healthy fat that contributes to heart health by lowering bad cholesterol levels.
- Antioxidants:
- Cauliflower and potatoes contain antioxidants like vitamin C and manganese. These help combat oxidative stress in the body and play a role in preventing chronic diseases.
- Low Calorie yet Satisfying:
- Despite being filling and rich in flavor, this dish is relatively low in calories, especially if portion sizes are controlled. This makes it an excellent option for those managing their calorie intake.
Dietary Considerations
This dish is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. To make it vegetarian, ensure the cheese used does not contain animal rennet. For a vegan version, you can substitute the eggs with a vegan binder like flax eggs, and use vegan cheese and a butter alternative.