Instant Pot Low-Carb Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Ingredients

• 2 lb. chopped cauliflower
• 1 cup chicken stock or water
• 2 T butter
• 1/4 cup cream cheese, cut into cubes
• 1 cup + 3 T grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 6 slices + 1 slice bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup + 1 T diagonally sliced green onions
• Salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Cut the cauliflower into fairly large, evenly sized pieces. The stem and core can go in too. Place a steamer basket or another insert that can support the cauliflower in the Instant Pot, then pour in 1 cup chicken stock or water. Add the cauliflower on top of the basket.
2. Set the Instant Pot to MANUAL, HIGH PRESSURE, 2 minutes. After cooking, allow a natural release for 1 minute, then do a quick release. Leave the Instant Pot on the KEEP WARM setting.
3. As the cauliflower cooks, chop the bacon into small bits and cook it until crisp. Drain it thoroughly, then blot away as much fat as you like. If using pre-cooked bacon, warm it for a little over 1 minute in the microwave, then blot off most of the fat.
4. Measure the butter, cubed cream cheese, and grated cheese, and slice the green onion thinly.
5. Reserve some of the grated cheese, bacon, and green onions for finishing the dish.
6. Pour the cooked cauliflower into a colander set in the sink, and return the stainless steel inner pot to the Instant Pot. Let the cauliflower drain very well, then transfer it back to the inner pot with the butter.
7. Puree the cauliflower with an immersion blender until it reaches the texture you like. A hand mixer would probably work too, or you can mash it with a potato masher, though the immersion blender is the tested method here.
8. Once the cauliflower is mashed to your liking, stir in the cream cheese and 1 cup of grated sharp cheddar. Mix until the cream cheese and cheddar are mostly melted into the cauliflower. Add salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste.
9. Stir in most of the crumbled bacon and the 1/4 cup green onions. Taste-check the temperature, and if you want it hotter, cook it for 1 or 2 minutes on SAUTE/LOW. Watch it closely, because too much time or too much heat can make it scorch on the bottom of the stainless steel pot.
10. Serve hot, topped with the remaining grated cheese, bacon, and green onion.