Don’t Mock This!

Mock food.

Food is food, right? Well, sometimes it is not as it seems.

Some food is designed to pretend to be something it is not. In an article from the Chicago tribune called the Wacky World of Fake Food, this phenomenon is explored. They cite a number of reasons for the phenomenon:

• Dieting – Many foods we love are not good for us, at least not in the quantity we wish to eat them. Diet versions of higher calorie foods or low-fat versions of their higher fat brethren try to simulate the original. A few earn quite a following in their own right (how many hard-core Diet Coke drinkers prefer the taste vs Classic Coke?).
• Ethical – Vegetarians and vegans are very familiar with simulated meat products (tofurkey, soy cheese).
• Religious – A number of religious restrict certain foods, but there are a number of products designed to assist with the restriction. Can’t eat pork? Turkey bacon to the rescue!
• Allergies – Almond milk for the lactose intolerant. Gluten free pasta
• Preservation – Your real bacon bits may not keep forever, but Bacos will.
• Scarcity – When one item is difficult or expensive, substitutes appear. Chickory coffee in place of standard coffee.
• Illusion – Ever turn a cheese ball into a pine cone by putting almond slices on it?

Mock Potato Salad

This is a great recipe for summer picnics when you are trying to keep your carbs low. You can eat the hot dog without the bun and fill up on fruit instead of brownies. Now you can have your potato salad, without the potatoes.

All the normal ingredients with just one substitution of cauliflower for the potatoes.

It is amazing how it both looks and tastes like the real thing.

A great side for dieters and non-dieters alike!

Mock Potato Salad

Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 10 mins | Servings: 8 | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

1 large head cauliflower; cleaned and finely diced (about 4 cups)
6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 cup finely diced celery (2 ribs)
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon yellow table mustard
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Paprika for garnish

Directions:

1) Steam cauliflower for 5-7 minutes, until tender. Immerse in ice bath to stop cooking. Drain well and pat dry between several layers of paper towels. 

2) Place the cauliflower in a bowl with all the remaining ingredients except the paprika and mix well with a large kitchen spoon. 

3) sprinkle with the paprika, then chill for at least 1 hour. 

Source: Livin Low Carb