Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto and Snowy Margaritas.
Our take on a white Christmas: cauliflower risotto and snowy margaritas. Recipes from Mariel’s home <3
Cauliflower Risotto
Comforting. Grounding. Surprisingly rich, yet light.
This creamy cauliflower risotto is one of my favorite ways to bring comfort food into balance. It is a simple, grounding recipe that I love this time of year. It's rich and comforting, yet light enough to leave you feeling good in your body. Think of it as a vegetable-forward, weeknight take on a classic risotto: creamy, savory, and deeply satisfying without being fussy.
I make this often when we want something nourishing and easeful. It’s delicious alongside roasted vegetables, grilled chicken or fish, or simply enjoyed on its own. AND it's ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1 shallot, finely minced
1 clove garlic, minced
16 ounces riced cauliflower (about 1 medium head)
½ cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
Melt the butter over medium heat in a wide pan. Add the shallot and sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring often, until soft and fragrant.
Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until aromatic.
Stir in the riced cauliflower and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until tender and lightly golden.
Add the cream, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir well and continue cooking for about 5 minutes, until the mixture becomes thick, creamy, and risotto-like.
Remove from heat and fold in the parsley. Serve warm.
Snowy Margaritas
One of my favorite recipes from last holiday season, and a major crowd-pleaser!
Eggnog?! GROSS!!! These Snowy Margaritas are so festive and delicious, easy to batch, blend, and serve, AND perfect for holiday dinners and casual gatherings alike. Finished with a coconut-rimmed glass and simple winter garnishes, they’re fun, unfussy, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Snowy Margaritas (Serves 4–6)
Coconut Rim
Agave or honey
Unsweetened coconut flakes (can mix in some maldon flakes or pink sea salt as well for those who like it salty!)
Dip the rim of each glass in agave or honey, then roll in coconut flakes. Set aside.
Ingredients
1½ cups silver tequila (heavy on the tequila <insert wink>)
¾ cup fresh lime juice
½ cup orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec) - i go lighter on the orange liqueur and use cointreau
¾ cup unsweetened canned coconut milk (well shaken)
2–3 tablespoons agave or honey (to taste)
3–4 cups ice
Pinch of sea salt
Optional Garnish
Fresh rosemary sprigs --- SO FESTIVE!
Fresh or sugared cranberries
Lime wheels
Instructions
Prepare the coconut-rimmed glasses and set aside.
Add tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, coconut milk, agave or honey, sea salt, and ice to a blender.
Blend until smooth and snowy, adding more ice as needed for a thicker consistency.
Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as desired.
Pour into prepared glasses and garnish as you like.
Snowy Coconut Lime Mocktail (Serves 4–6)
Creamy, bright, and refreshing, this alcohol-free version keeps all the festive energy of the original. It's lightly tropical, not sweet, and perfect for inclusive holiday hosting.
Ingredients
1½ cups coconut water (plain, unsweetened)
¾ cup fresh lime juice
¾ cup unsweetened canned coconut milk, well shaken
2–3 tablespoons agave or honey, to taste
3–4 cups ice
Pinch of sea salt
Optional Flavor Boost (choose one):
2–3 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice (very subtle, not sweet)
1 tablespoon elderflower syrup (adds floral depth)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (rounds the coconut beautifully)
Coconut Rim
Agave or honey
Unsweetened coconut flakes
(Optional: a pinch of Maldon or pink sea salt)
Dip the rim of each glass in agave or honey, then roll in coconut flakes. Set aside.
Instructions
Prepare the coconut-rimmed glasses and set aside.
Add coconut water, lime juice, coconut milk, agave or honey, sea salt, and ice to a blender.
Blend until smooth and snowy, adding more ice as needed for texture.
Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity.
Pour into prepared glasses and garnish as desired.
Kid-Friendly Snowy Coconut Lime Spritzers
Kid-Friendly Batch (Serves 3–4)
Ingredients
¾ cup unsweetened coconut water
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (use less for very sensitive palates)
½ cup unsweetened canned coconut milk, well shaken
2–3 tablespoons agave or honey, to taste
2–2½ cups ice
Optional
Plain or lightly flavored sparkling water, for topping
Coconut Rim (Optional)
Agave or honey
Unsweetened coconut flakes
Dip the rims of small glasses in agave or honey, then roll in coconut flakes. Set aside.
Instructions
Prepare coconut-rimmed glasses, if using, and set aside.
Add coconut water, lime juice, coconut milk, agave or honey, and ice to a blender.
Blend until smooth and lightly snowy.
Taste and adjust sweetness or citrus as needed.
Pour into glasses and top with a splash of sparkling water if desired.
Kid-Approved Garnish
Fresh or sugared cranberries
Lime wheels
Fun straws
