Don’t change that dial! Â I know what’s happening here. Â You see the word “millet” and all of a sudden you need to go wash your hair instead of reading the rest of this post. Â You think it’s bird seed or that you’re family will think it’s bird seed. Â Ok, you’re not far off, but this is incredibly tasty birdseed, people! Â I know you established some hardcore resolutions last week and I am here to help. Â This millet mash is delicious, creamy, comforting, and incredibly nutritious AND alkalizing and gluten-free and dairy-free and vegan and everything else you want to be right now. Â Still with me?
Millet is such an under-appreciated seed.  It’s very easy and quick to prepare and has a very mild flavor.  I posted a millet recipe last year and discussed the myriad benefits of millet there.  Do check it out if you’re new here!  I also made a scrumptious millet porridge the other day with coconut milk, almond milk and no additional sweeteners.  I think I like it better than my brown rice pudding.
Last year I taught this Millet-Cauliflower Mash with hesitation. Â I always have a few risky recipes which make me worried people will think they’re too “out there.” Â But deep down I knew this dish was amazing and it ended up being a huge hit. Â Millet-Cauliflower Mash is my mashed potatoes without the potatoes and without the butter and cream. Â I actually considered serving this for Thanksgiving, but my husband thought I was getting carried away. Â Truthfully, I serve mashed potatoes once a year (on Thanksgiving) and Millet-Cauliflower Mash practically once a month the rest of the year. Â I won’t lie and tell you it tastes exactly like mashed potatoes. Â Millet is slightly nutty and corny tasting and this puree isn’t baby-food-smooth like mashed potatoes, but instead feels a little like polenta. Â The flavor is definitely very mild and neutral, though. Â I love it with anything saucy like Baked Chicken with Artichokes or Orange and Rosemary Glazed Chicken. Â You can even serve it with meatballs or a vegetable stew. Â If you have leftovers, the mash will firm up in the refrigerator and you’ll need to add a bit of water or broth to reheat it. Â Alternatively, you can treat it like leftover polenta and slice it up and then bake it or fry it. Â Still with me? Â Great! Â Now go get thee some millet!
Millet-Cauliflower Mash
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 Tablespoon unrefined olive oil unsalted butter or unrefined coconut oil
- 1 cup millet rinsed
- 3 cups water
- 3 cups cauliflower florets
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 Tablespoon chopped chives optional (I didn't have any the day I photographed this.)
- unsalted butter optional
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté over medium heat until tender and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the millet, water, cauliflower, garlic and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and the millet is cooked.
- Remove from the heat. Transfer to a food processor and blend until smooth or mash with a potato masher until desired consistency is achieved. The food processor will make this much smoother.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with chives, if you like. You can also stir in a little unsalted butter for a creamy finish, but it’s delicious without.