Creamy Mashed Mock Potatoes & Savory Mushroom Gravy

Creamy Mashed Mock Potatoes & Savory Mushroom Gravy: A Lighter Thanksgiving Classic

Back in my Raw-Riffic Food days, Thanksgiving looked a little different at our table. Instead of the usual heavy sides, I loved serving dishes that were creamy and cozy, but still light, fresh, and full of life. These two recipes were always a hit. No one missed the butter or the mashed potatoes once they tasted this silky cauliflower mash with rich, savory mushroom gravy.

If you are ready to bring a little of that raw vegan nostalgia into your mostly plant based flex Thanksgiving, this combo is such a fun way to do it. You can serve it alongside your usual dishes, or make it the star of a lighter plate. Either way, you are feeding your body fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats while still enjoying all the comfort of a holiday meal.

Creamy Mashed Mock Potatoes (Raw Cauliflower Mash)

A silky, garlicky, “mashed potato” style side made with cauliflower and macadamia nuts. Rich, satisfying, and completely dairy free.

Ingredients

• 2 heads cauliflower
• 1 cup macadamia nuts, soaked until soft and drained
• 1½–2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1½ teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ cup water (more as needed to blend)

Preparation

1. Prep the cauliflower
   Chop the cauliflower into florets and place them in a high speed blender or food processor.
2. Blend the base
   Add the soaked macadamia nuts and ¼ cup water. Blend until mostly smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
3. Season and cream it up
   Add the olive oil, sea salt, minced garlic, dried basil, and garlic powder. Blend again until the mixture is very smooth and creamy. Adjust water a tablespoon at a time if needed to reach a mashed potato consistency.
4. Taste and adjust
   Taste and add more salt or herbs if you like.
5. Serve
   • Spoon into a serving bowl and top with a sprinkle of dried basil or smoked paprika.
   • Or stuff into mini Portobello mushroom caps, dust with paprika, and warm gently in a dehydrator at about 110°F for 20–30 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions for Mashed Mock Potatoes

• Pair with Mushroom Gravy (recipe below) for a complete “potatoes and gravy” experience.
• Spoon into mini Portobellos for a fun party appetizer.
• Serve alongside a raw or roasted veggie platter for a lighter Thanksgiving plate.
• Add a drizzle of herbed olive oil and a sprinkle of chopped parsley to dress it up.

Nutrition Snapshot (approximate, per serving, 1 of 6)

These are rough estimates and will vary based on cauliflower size and exact amounts.

• Calories: ~230–260
• Protein: ~5–6 g
• Carbohydrates: ~12–15 g
• Fat: ~20–22 g
• Fiber: ~4–5 g

Healthy Benefits of the Ingredients

• Cauliflower
  • Member of the cruciferous veggie family
  • Supports detox pathways and provides vitamin C, folate, and fiber
  • Lower in starch than potatoes, which can support blood sugar balance
• Macadamia nuts
  • Rich in heart friendly monounsaturated fats
  • Provide a little plant based protein and fiber
  • Help you feel full and satisfied, which can curb overeating
• Extra virgin olive oil
  • Source of healthy fats and polyphenols
  • Linked to heart and brain health in many Mediterranean style eating patterns
• Garlic and basil
  • Garlic contains compounds that may support immune and cardiovascular health
  • Basil adds antioxidants and flavor without extra sodium

This dish gives you that holiday comfort feeling while staying lighter on starch and completely dairy free. It is a great option if you are managing blood sugar, digestion, or simply want more veggies on your Thanksgiving plate.

Savory Mushroom Gravy (Raw Inspired)

This gravy is rich, earthy, and umami loaded thanks to Portobello and Crimini mushrooms. It is perfect over Mashed Mock Potatoes or spooned over stuffed mushrooms and savory nut loaves.

Ingredients

• 1½–2 cups water
• 2 Portobello mushrooms, chopped
• 2 cups Crimini mushrooms, thinly sliced
• ⅓ cup cashews, ground to a powder
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 2 tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• ¼ cup scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
• Dash black pepper
• Dash garlic powder
• Dash onion powder

Preparation

1. Blend the gravy base
   In a high speed blender or food processor, combine:Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust water as needed to reach your preferred gravy consistency.
   • Water
   • Chopped Portobello mushrooms
   • Ground cashews
   • Garlic
   • Lemon juice
   • Bragg Liquid Aminos
   • Celery
   • Sea salt
   • Pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder
2. Add the mushroom texture
   Transfer the blended gravy to a bowl and stir in the thinly sliced Crimini mushrooms.
3. Marinate
   Let the mixture marinate in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. This allows the flavors to deepen and the mushrooms to soften.
4. Serve
   Remove from the fridge and let sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes to take the chill off. Stir well and spoon generously over Mashed Mock Potatoes, Mock Turkey, or stuffed mushrooms.

Serving Suggestions for Mushroom Gravy

• Pour over Mashed Mock Potatoes for a raw style comfort bowl.
• Spoon on top of raw nut loaves, veggie patties, or lentil loaf for a holiday main.
• Use as a dipping sauce for dehydrated veggie patties or baked sweet potato wedges if you are doing a flex style meal.
• Serve in a small gravy boat with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme on top.

Nutrition Snapshot (approximate, per serving, 1 of 6)

• Calories: ~55–70
• Protein: ~3–4 g
• Carbohydrates: ~6–7 g
• Fat: ~3–4 g
• Fiber: ~1–2 g

(Exact numbers will vary with mushroom size and how much water you add.)

Healthy Benefits of the Ingredients

• Mushrooms (Portobello and Crimini)
  • Naturally low in calories and rich in umami flavor
  • Provide B vitamins, selenium, and other minerals
  • Contain compounds that may support immune function
• Cashews
  • Add creaminess without dairy
  • Provide plant based protein, healthy fats, and magnesium
• Celery and scallions
  • Add crunch, flavor, and hydration
  • Provide antioxidants and phytonutrients with almost no calories
• Lemon juice
  • Brightens flavor and adds vitamin C
  • Can help balance the richness of the nuts and mushrooms
• Bragg Liquid Aminos
  • Adds savory depth and replaces conventional soy sauce
  • Use mindfully if you are watching sodium intake

Bringing It All Together

These two recipes are such a beautiful way to bring a little of that Raw-Riffic Thanksgiving spirit to your current plant based flex lifestyle. You still get the comfort of creamy mash and savory gravy, but you are filling your plate with cauliflower, mushrooms, nuts, and herbs instead of heavy dairy and refined ingredients.

Serve them alongside your favorite flex friendly mains and veggies, and you have a holiday plate that feels nostalgic, satisfying, and supportive of healthy aging. It is a delicious way to flex your plant power and still enjoy every bite.

Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, supplements, or lifestyle—especially if you have existing conditions or take medication.

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