• In the Kitchen
  • Recipe Index
  • Bento Lunches
  • Life As I Know It
  • Life in Texas
  • Faith Walk Farms

Following In My Shoes

tales of food and family

  • home
  • about
  • press
  • contact me
  • Let’s Make Lunch Cute! {giveaway}

    It is no secret that I believe -- regardless of what kind of diet you and your family follow -- you ... read more

    Let’s Make Lunch Cute! {giveaway}
  • Paleo and Primal Lunch Ideas (and printable list)

    When I first started packing grain-free lunches, I searched and searched and searched for paleo and ... read more

    Paleo and Primal Lunch Ideas (and printable list)
  • Back to School FREE Printable Menu Planner

    I am a list-maker.  A planner.  A calendar scheduler.  It's in my DNA thanks to a Mama who does the ... read more

    Back to School FREE Printable Menu Planner
  • The Best Bento Supplies for Easy School Lunches

    For nearly four years, I've been "bento-ing." Yes, even before Pinterest made it popular, I was ... read more

    The Best Bento Supplies for Easy School Lunches
  • 20 Back-to-School Slow Cooker Recipes

      Is there any other Mama out there who is eager ... counting down the DAYS ... ready and ... read more

    20 Back-to-School Slow Cooker Recipes
  • Easy Slow Cooker Ribs

    Folks, we have here a meal that will be in our rotation frequently ... very frequently. For ... read more

    Easy Slow Cooker Ribs

On Our Plate

Monday -- Chicken Pot Pie Soup, grain-free Flaxseed Bread, Salad

Tuesday -- Beef Tacos with Plaintain Tortillas, Refried Beans, Avocados

Wednesday -- Grain-Free Salmon Patties, Steamed Green Beans, Salad

Thursday --  leftovers

Friday -- Pizza Night

Saturday -- Grilled Steak with Chimichurri, Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Sunday -- Thom Kha Gai

Read my meal planning series for more inspiration and tips on staying organized and on-budget!
home | about | press | contact | archives | disclosure | privacy policy
home | about | press | contact | archives | disclosure | privacy policy

Slow Cooker Parnsip-Cauliflower Puree with Roasted Garlic

November 18, 2014

Share
Pin101
Tweet
+1
101 Shares

Thanksgiving Paleo Recipes -- Slow Cooker Parsnip-Cauliflower Puree with Roasted Garlic

Last fall, I experienced my first parsnip recipe. Roasted parsnip puree. It only took one bite for me to realize that parnsips were what I had been missing my. entire. life.

Why DON’T more people eat parsnips? Before that beautiful day last year, the only thing I knew about this root vegetable was that Candace (from Phineas and Ferb for the those not immersed in the world of Kidlet Television) was strangely allergic to them and would begin talking like a burly man anytime she was exposed to them. That’s a tough life and isn’t doing the parsnip any favors.

This white root veggie — sweet like carrots — is beautiful and absolutely at its best in a mashed or pureed form. Served alone or under a gorgeous roast and gravy … or, as we’ve done twice now the past week, served with the perfect smoked turkey breast and chipotle cranberry sauce, the humble parsnip become the most amazing side dish for any occasion.

Thanksgiving Paleo Recipes -- Slow Cooker Parsnip-Cauliflower Puree with Roasted Garlic

The only downside to most parsnip recipes is that they need to be parboiled or roasted. That’s all good and hunky-dory when you have time for multiple steps. With a million and one Kidlets under my feet, gymnastics, church activities, house-work and every. other. single. thing. that goes on any given day, I need a side-dish that cooks itself.

Enter the Slow Cooker. Every week, I’m becoming more and convinced there isn’t anything a crock-pot can’t do.

Thanksgiving Paleo Recipes -- Slow Cooker Parsnip-Cauliflower Puree with Roasted Garlic

The slow-cooker both roasts and steams the parsnips and the cauliflower (which I decided to add into the mix to help lighten and stretch this recipe) in the matter of a few hours. Fuss-free and practically hands-free. All you have to do to transform the cooked veggies into the best “mashed” side dish (that’s right — move over, Mashed Potatoes) is add a few cloves of roasted garlic, some cream cheese, and then let your immersion blender or food processor take over.

Add this to your Thanksgiving menu. You can thank me later.

Thanksgiving Paleo Recipes - Slow Cooker Parsnip-Cauliflower Puree with Roasted Garlic

 

Slow Cooker Parnsip-Cauliflower Puree with Roasted Garlic
 
Print
If you need to serve more than 4-6 people, you can easily double this recipe ... just keep the 1:1 ratio.
Author: Rachel Lacy
Ingredients
  • 1 pound Parsnips
  • 1-2 pound head of Cauliflower*
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 4 oz Whole Milk Cream Cheese**
  • 4-6 Cloves Roasted Garlic
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Chives for garnish if desired
Instructions
  1. Wash and chop the parsnips and cauliflower.
  2. Add the butter to the bottom of the slow-cooker and then put the chopped veggies in the slow-cooker.
  3. Cover and cook on high 2-3 hours or until the parsnips are fork-tender.
  4. Open the lid and add in the the cream cheese and roasted garlic cloves (garlic mellows as it roasts so I find that I prefer more cloves in this dish; you can start with 4 and add more to taste). Use an immersion blender (or place all ingredients in a food processor) to puree all of the ingredients.
  5. Salt and pepper to taste and serve.
How to Roast Garlic
  1. Remove any loose skin from a head of garlic and then cut off the top ¼ to ½" inch of the garlic. Do not separate the cloves.
  2. Place the garlic on a piece of aluminum foil and then drizzle good quality olive oil over the cut ends.
  3. Wrap tightly with the foil and place the garlic on a baking dish and put in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for 20-40 minutes, or until the largest cloves are fork tender.
  4. Remove from the oven. You will be easily able to squeeze the cloves out of their skin wrappers or use a fork to pull them out. Use as needed.
Notes
* The larger the head of cauliflower, the more pronounced its flavor will be in the final dish. I prefer a smaller head, which is practically undetectable.

** If you need this dish to be dairy-free, you can use canned coconut milk in place of the cream cheese. You can either use the thickened cream at the top of the can or the liquid -- a little at a time -- until the puree consistency is to your liking. We tolerate dairy so I chose to use the cream cheese to help bind everything together (and because it's awesome!).
3.2.2807

 

Share
Pin101
Tweet
+1
101 Shares

Get Posts Delivered To Your Inbox

Privacy Policy

About Rachel Lacy

Rachel Lacy is the author of Following In My Shoes, where she blogs about Mommyhood, Family-Friendly Recipes and Bento Lunches, and Life in Texas. She is a lover of all things Coffee and Nutella.
You can also connect with Rachel Lacy on Google+.

« Making a Holiday Plan and Sticking To It
Winter is Here: 13 One-Pot Comfort Food Recipes »

Trackbacks

  1. Lunch Date #16: The news and recipes you need to read - Caroline Kaufman, MS, RDN says:
    November 26, 2014 at 5:01 am

    […] Slow Cooker Parsnip-Cauliflower Puree with Roasted Garlic – Following in my Shoes […]

Welcome

Who is Rachel LacyMy name is Rachel -- I share tales about food and family. I'm a home-cook who focuses on fresh meals to both fuel us and to help us celebrate our family-life. My day starts with coffee. Lots of coffee.
Read More About Me.
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Stay Connected

Recent Recipes

Egg-Nog Caramels

Egg-Nog Caramels

Simple Orange Cream Frosting for an Easy Peasy Christmas Cookie Party

Simple Orange Cream Frosting for an Easy Peasy Christmas Cookie Party

Flourless Cocoa-Monkey Muffins

Flourless Cocoa-Monkey Muffins

Grain-Free Waffle Recipe and An Open Letter To My Free-Loading Chickens

Grain-Free Waffle Recipe and An Open Letter To My Free-Loading Chickens

4 Ingredient Chicken Verde (slow-cooker recipe)

4 Ingredient Chicken Verde (slow-cooker recipe)

Crustless Pizza Cups {iheartlunch}

Crustless Pizza Cups {iheartlunch}

Recent Bentos

Grain-Free Waffle Recipe and An Open Letter To My Free-Loading Chickens

Grain-Free Waffle Recipe and An Open Letter To My Free-Loading Chickens

Crustless Pizza Cups {iheartlunch}

Crustless Pizza Cups {iheartlunch}

I Heart Lunch: Pizza Muffins (grainfree and nutfree)

I Heart Lunch: Pizza Muffins (grainfree and nutfree)

50 Grain-free After School Snacks

50 Grain-free After School Snacks

Stay Connected

Breakfast Dishes

How To Cook Bacon In The Oven

How To Cook Bacon In The Oven

Flourless Cocoa-Monkey Muffins

Flourless Cocoa-Monkey Muffins

Grain-Free Waffle Recipe and An Open Letter To My Free-Loading Chickens

Grain-Free Waffle Recipe and An Open Letter To My Free-Loading Chickens

Spiced Apple French Toast Muffins (gluten-free)

Spiced Apple French Toast Muffins (gluten-free)

See More

Slow-Cooker Recipes

4 Ingredient Chicken Verde (slow-cooker recipe)

4 Ingredient Chicken Verde (slow-cooker recipe)

Wearing My Game-Day Boots and Making Game-Day Food: Slow-Cooker Asian Barbecue Sausage Bites

Wearing My Game-Day Boots and Making Game-Day Food: Slow-Cooker Asian Barbecue Sausage Bites

Slow-Cooker Paleo Italian Stuffed Peppers

Slow-Cooker Paleo Italian Stuffed Peppers

Easy Slow Cooker Ribs

Easy Slow Cooker Ribs

See More

30-Minute Meals

Moroccan Spiced Beef and Veggie Skillet

Moroccan Spiced Beef and Veggie Skillet

Spicy Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice {GF}

Spicy Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice {GF}

Burrito or Pizza Night? Black Bean and Beef Tex-Mex Filling

Burrito or Pizza Night? Black Bean and Beef Tex-Mex Filling

Tex-Mex Migas

Tex-Mex Migas

See More

Appetizers

Egg-Nog Cream Cheese Dip

Egg-Nog Cream Cheese Dip

Wearing My Game-Day Boots and Making Game-Day Food: Slow-Cooker Asian Barbecue Sausage Bites

Wearing My Game-Day Boots and Making Game-Day Food: Slow-Cooker Asian Barbecue Sausage Bites

Holiday Snacks: Sweet and Spicy Roasted Nuts

Holiday Snacks: Sweet and Spicy Roasted Nuts

The Spicy Houston Sushi Roll

The Spicy Houston Sushi Roll

See More

Sauces and Sides

Slow Cooker Parnsip-Cauliflower Puree with Roasted Garlic

Slow Cooker Parnsip-Cauliflower Puree with Roasted Garlic

Copycat Chick-fil-a Grilled Chicken and Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Copycat Chick-fil-a Grilled Chicken and Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette

No Fuss Caprese Salad

No Fuss Caprese Salad

Roasted Bacon and Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction

Roasted Bacon and Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction

See More

Soups and Stews

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup {gf, df}

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup {gf, df}

Southwestern Roasted Pepper and Chicken Stew {slow cooker recipe}

Southwestern Roasted Pepper and Chicken Stew {slow cooker recipe}

Game Day Food: Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Game Day Food: Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Slow Cooker Spicy Pumpkin Chili

Slow Cooker Spicy Pumpkin Chili

See More

Sandwiches and Burgers

Game Day Food: Grilled Sweet ‘N Spicy Bacon Burger

Game Day Food: Grilled Sweet ‘N Spicy Bacon Burger

Grilled Chipotle Club Wafflewich

Grilled Chipotle Club Wafflewich

Stuffed Cheddar Popper Sliders

Stuffed Cheddar Popper Sliders

(hot or cold) Chicken Flatbread Sandwiches with Sun Dried Tomato Aioli

(hot or cold) Chicken Flatbread Sandwiches with Sun Dried Tomato Aioli

See More

Pizza

Crustless Pizza Cups {iheartlunch}

Crustless Pizza Cups {iheartlunch}

I Heart Lunch: Pizza Muffins (grainfree and nutfree)

I Heart Lunch: Pizza Muffins (grainfree and nutfree)

Making Italian Sausage At Home

Making Italian Sausage At Home

The Little Italy {grilled chicken alfredo pizza} #tysongrilledandready

The Little Italy {grilled chicken alfredo pizza} #tysongrilledandready

See More

Chicken Recipes

4 Ingredient Chicken Verde (slow-cooker recipe)

4 Ingredient Chicken Verde (slow-cooker recipe)

Copycat Chick-fil-a Grilled Chicken and Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Copycat Chick-fil-a Grilled Chicken and Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Grain Free Chicken and Mushroom Enchiladas Verdes

Grain Free Chicken and Mushroom Enchiladas Verdes

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup {gf, df}

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup {gf, df}

See More

Beef Recipes

Game Day Food: Grilled Sweet ‘N Spicy Bacon Burger

Game Day Food: Grilled Sweet ‘N Spicy Bacon Burger

Instant-Pot Recipe: Pulled Pepper Steak

Instant-Pot Recipe: Pulled Pepper Steak

Slow-Cooker Paleo Italian Stuffed Peppers

Slow-Cooker Paleo Italian Stuffed Peppers

Moroccan Spiced Beef and Veggie Skillet

Moroccan Spiced Beef and Veggie Skillet

See More

Pork Recipes

How To Cook Bacon In The Oven

How To Cook Bacon In The Oven

Easy Slow Cooker Ribs

Easy Slow Cooker Ribs

Slow-Cooker Coffee Braised Asian Pork

Slow-Cooker Coffee Braised Asian Pork

Making Italian Sausage At Home

Making Italian Sausage At Home

See More

Seafood Recipes

Grilled Shrimp Tacos with a Creamy Lemon Sauce {grain-free options}

Grilled Shrimp Tacos with a Creamy Lemon Sauce {grain-free options}

Spicy Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice {GF}

Spicy Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice {GF}

The Spicy Houston Sushi Roll

The Spicy Houston Sushi Roll

Grilled Garlic Shrimp

Grilled Garlic Shrimp

See More

Grain-Free Recipes

Instant-Pot Recipe: Pulled Pepper Steak

Instant-Pot Recipe: Pulled Pepper Steak

Flourless Cocoa-Monkey Muffins

Flourless Cocoa-Monkey Muffins

Grain-Free Waffle Recipe and An Open Letter To My Free-Loading Chickens

Grain-Free Waffle Recipe and An Open Letter To My Free-Loading Chickens

4 Ingredient Chicken Verde (slow-cooker recipe)

4 Ingredient Chicken Verde (slow-cooker recipe)

See More

Baked Goods

Flourless Cocoa-Monkey Muffins

Flourless Cocoa-Monkey Muffins

Grain-Free Waffle Recipe and An Open Letter To My Free-Loading Chickens

Grain-Free Waffle Recipe and An Open Letter To My Free-Loading Chickens

Spiced Apple French Toast Muffins (gluten-free)

Spiced Apple French Toast Muffins (gluten-free)

Grain-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

Grain-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

See More

Desserts and Treats

Egg-Nog Caramels

Egg-Nog Caramels

Simple Orange Cream Frosting for an Easy Peasy Christmas Cookie Party

Simple Orange Cream Frosting for an Easy Peasy Christmas Cookie Party

Flourless Cocoa-Monkey Muffins

Flourless Cocoa-Monkey Muffins

Paleo Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownie Cookies plus MORE Grain-free Holiday Cookie Recipes

Paleo Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownie Cookies plus MORE Grain-free Holiday Cookie Recipes

See More

Drinks

Snowman Soup {slow cooker white hot chocolate}

Snowman Soup {slow cooker white hot chocolate}

See More

Kid Friendly Recipes

Flourless Cocoa-Monkey Muffins

Flourless Cocoa-Monkey Muffins

Grain-Free Waffle Recipe and An Open Letter To My Free-Loading Chickens

Grain-Free Waffle Recipe and An Open Letter To My Free-Loading Chickens

Crustless Pizza Cups {iheartlunch}

Crustless Pizza Cups {iheartlunch}

Egg-Nog Cream Cheese Dip

Egg-Nog Cream Cheese Dip

See More

Favorite Posts

The Things I’ve Learned About Boys

The Things I’ve Learned About Boys

The Things I Hope We Both Remember When I Am 93

The Things I Hope We Both Remember When I Am 93

The Moment Your Four Year Old Announces She Is In Love

The Moment Your Four Year Old Announces She Is In Love

The Clock is Ticking

The Clock is Ticking

Featured

4 Ingredient Chicken Verde (slow-cooker recipe)

4 Ingredient Chicken Verde (slow-cooker recipe)

Wearing My Game-Day Boots and Making Game-Day Food: Slow-Cooker Asian Barbecue Sausage Bites

Wearing My Game-Day Boots and Making Game-Day Food: Slow-Cooker Asian Barbecue Sausage Bites

Slow-Cooker Paleo Italian Stuffed Peppers

Slow-Cooker Paleo Italian Stuffed Peppers

Easy Slow Cooker Ribs

Easy Slow Cooker Ribs

Shop Bento

Check out my favorite bento and lunch-packing resources!

Copyright © 2025 · Tasteful theme by Restored 316

Home | About | Contact | Press | Archives | Disclosure | Privacy Policy ·

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. I won't take it personally!!AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy