Cauliflower Garlic Mashed Potatoes

This recipe came from a girl in one of the recipe exchanges I participate in. Not sure where got it from, but it's darn tasty! I figured it would be healthier than regular potatoes, and because yellow cauliflower was on sale this week, this recipe was added to the menu pretty quickly. The texture is great -- they really do taste like mashed potatoes!

Ingredients

• 1 medium head cauliflower
  
• 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
  
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  
• 1/8 teaspoon straight chicken base or bullion (may substitute 1/2 teaspoon salt)
  
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh or dry chives, for garnish
  
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

1. Set a stockpot of water to boil over high heat.

2. Clean and cut cauliflower into small pieces. Cook in boiling water for about 6 minutes, or until well done. Drain well; do not let cool and pat cooked cauliflower very dry between several layers of paper towels.

3. In a bowl with an immersion blender, or in a food processor, puree the hot cauliflower with the cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic, chicken base, and pepper until almost smooth.

4. Garnish with chives, and serve hot with pats of butter.