Loaded Cauliflower "Mash" Bake

Ingredients:
4 slices center cut bacon
6 cups (about 24 oz) cauliflower florets
3 cloves crushed garlic
1/3 cup 1% buttermilk
1 tablespoon whipped butter
3/4 tsp kosher salt
fresh black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives, divided
1/4 cup shredded reduced fat shredded cheddar
Method :
Cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp; set aside on a paper towel then crumble.

Fill a large pot with water, bring to a boil and add cauliflower and garlic. Boil until the cauliflower is soft, about 15-20 minutes. Drain, and return to the pot.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Add the buttermilk, butter, salt and pepper to the cauliflower and purée with a hand blender. If you don't own a hand blender, a regular blender would work fine as well. Mix in 1 tbsp of the chives
and transfer to 4 individual casseroles (3/4 cups each) or one 8 x 8 casserole dish and top with cheddar and crumbled bacon. Bake in the oven until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes then top with remaining chives.