Mona Karel is the writing alter ego of Monica Stoner, who wrote Beatles fan fiction and terribly earnest (read just not very good) Gothics in her teen years. She set aside writing while working with horses and dogs all over the US, until she discovered used book stores and Silhouette Romances. Shortly after that she also discovered jobs that paid her for more than her ability to do a good scissors finish on a terrier, and moved into the “real” working world. Right around then she wrote her first full length book. It only took her twenty-seven years to be published. She writes looking out the window at the high plains of New Mexico, with her Saluki dogs sprawled at her feet. Distraction much?
Up until January of this year, cauliflower was “that white Broccoli stuff” I avoided in winter mix vegetables. Then I made the decision to give low carb a chance. I’d just gone through eight months of my husband’s surgery then protracted illness. While he was in home hospice care I attempted to bring him to a lower carb lifestyle, then finally gave in to reality. Even so, it set my feet on a new path.
Having been a bread, rice, and potatoes addict most of my life, I knew this would be the major issue for my new lifestyle. Research kept mentioning cauliflower as a substitute and I have to admit I was skeptical at best.
Cauliflower? Really?
Well, new life, new foods. I was willing to take a chance. Especially
since I couldn’t have most of the fabulous foods featured on the various cooking channels. I’ve since tried the cauliflower and cheese “bread” (and am now working on variations) which have helped with the concept of “sandwiches.”
Then I saw shrimp and grits. In spite of not being a Southern girl, I do like grits, near as much as I like rice. And of course total carbs. Sigh. Then again…cauliflower?? I’d already used finely mashed cauliflower as a mashed potato substitute, why not try it as a grits substitute, especially since I had some shrimp just waiting to be eaten.
So, mashed cauliflower. Add butter (salted) and cheese (in this case a nice Colby but anything will do.) Quick pan fry for the shrimpies. And voilá, total yum.
Yeah, I’m digging this low carb life. When I get the green chile cauliflower cheese bread figured out, I’ll let you know.
Since I seem to enjoy my time in the kitchen, friends have asked if the people in my books cook. Well, Kendra, in My Killer My Love, makes her own bread since she lives a simple life. But Bethany, in Teach Me To Forget, never learned how to cook and is a total disaster in the kitchen. Fortunately Jonathan does cook, and saves their stomachs multiple times.
What substitutes have you come up with to replace those hi-carb comfort foods in your fridge and pantry?
You can visit Mona at http://mona-karel.com/ 
Monica, this looks absolutely fabulous! I can’t believe how you made the cauliflower look just like grits and the shrimp looks yummo. I can’t wait to try it! Thank you so much for moseying on over to visit with us!
Mona, I tried the cauliflower-as-potato thing and it just didn’t work for me. Hubby could still taste cauliflower.
I’m willing to give it another go, though!
I loved mashed cauliflower. It’s sweeter and lighter than potatoes. (And let’s face it, everything tastes good with butter.)
I’ve done low-carb and now I’m a vegetarian but I’m still trying to keep my carbs in check. It’s how come I managed to flatten my belly without doing a ton of sit-ups!
Looks yummy! Thanks for visiting!!
Thanks for letting me visit and share! Abigail, I think it’s all about what you add. Cream cheese cures a lot of problems!! I’ve just been told of cauliflower “rice” which sounds very tempting. I’m all about flavor and if it looks a bit “off” I just eat it faster
Too funny!
You’ve very welcome, Mona! The door is always open!