Cauliflower Tots

Total Time: 42 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 12 mins

Ingredients

• 1 head cauliflower
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 egg whites
• salt & pepper
• oil (for frying)

Recipe

• 1 clean and trim the cauliflower, adding the florets to a microwave safe bowl.
• 2 add the cream and butter to the bowl.
• 3 microwave for 5 minutes.
• 4 add the cauliflower and cheese to a magic bullet or food processor and blend until still chunky - kind of like a cooked oatmeal consistency. season with salt and pepper.
• 5 chill for at least half an hour.
• 6 whip the egg whites to a stiff peak. fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the cauliflower mixture to lighten it up. then fold the cauliflower mixture into the rest of the egg whites and gently mix until combined.
• 7 for best results, chill for another half hour or they won't hold their shape as well.
• 8 fit a pastry bag with a round or star tube with about a 3/4 inch opening. spray the inside of the bag with nonstick spray.
• 9 gently squeeze out 1 inch sections onto a greased cookie sheet, cutting with a butter knife as you go.
• 10 when finished, bake in a 375 degree oven for 10-12 minutes (or longer if you're skipping the frying) until puffed and slightly browned. remove from the oven and serve - or heat 1/4 inch of oil in a saute pan and when it's very hot add the tots. it doesn't need long, a minute per side to turn them golden brown and crispy. serve immediately.