I received products from Mann’s Fresh Vegetables (Mann Packing Company). This post is sponsored by Mann’s Fresh Vegetables, all opinions are my own.
Discover the ultimate guide to preparing Air Fryer Parmesan Roasted CAULILINI® baby cauliflower – a remarkably quick, effortlessly delicious, and nutrient-packed vegetable dish. Perfect for busy weeknights or as a sophisticated side for any meal, this recipe transforms the unique CAULILINI® into a golden, cheesy delight using the convenience of your air fryer. Say goodbye to mundane vegetable sides and hello to a vibrant, flavorful experience that will quickly become a family favorite.
I am absolutely thrilled to share my experience with Mann’s Fresh Vegetables’ innovative CAULILINI® baby cauliflower. As someone constantly seeking creative and efficient ways to integrate more vegetables into my diet, this new product has been a game-changer. It’s easy to fall into a rut with meals, but exploring novel ingredients like CAULILINI® keeps the culinary journey exciting and your plate diverse.
The air fryer method, in particular, has revolutionized how I approach vegetable preparation. It delivers that coveted crispy texture without the excess oil or lengthy cooking times of traditional roasting, making healthy eating both accessible and incredibly satisfying. Join me as we delve into what makes CAULILINI® so special and how to create a mouth-watering parmesan-roasted version that’s ready in minutes.
Table of Contents
What is CAULILINI® Baby Cauliflower?
CAULILINI® baby cauliflower is a distinct and delightful vegetable, often referred to as “baby cauliflower,” belonging to an Asian variety of the brassica family. This family includes well-known cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and regular cauliflower. What sets CAULILINI® apart is its unique appearance and culinary versatility. It features delicate florets that are quite similar to traditional cauliflower, but its elongated, tender stalk bears a striking resemblance to broccoli. This intriguing hybrid-like structure allows for a pleasant culinary experience, as the entire vegetable, from tip to stem, is edible and equally delicious.
Unlike its more common counterparts, CAULILINI® offers a more refined and milder flavor profile, making it an excellent choice for those who might find regular cauliflower a bit too robust. Its slender form and quick-cooking nature also contribute to its appeal, as it prepares much like BROCCOLINI® baby broccoli, ensuring a fast and convenient addition to any meal. This innovative vegetable is a testament to modern agriculture’s ability to bring exciting new options to our tables, encouraging diverse and nutritious eating habits.
How Does CAULILINI® Baby Cauliflower Taste?
One of the most appealing aspects of CAULILINI® baby cauliflower is its exquisite flavor and texture. It boasts a naturally sweet and exceptionally tender taste that is distinctly milder and sweeter than traditional cauliflower. This subtle sweetness makes it incredibly palatable, even for those who are typically hesitant about cruciferous vegetables. Upon cooking, the vibrant florets and stalks transform into a beautiful bright green hue, adding an inviting pop of color to your plate.
The entire vegetable is edible, from its petite florets to its slender, succulent stem. There’s no need to trim or discard any part, which means less food waste and more nutrition. The tender texture means it cooks quickly and evenly, whether roasted, sautéed, or air-fried, delivering a delightful bite every time. This pleasant taste and ease of preparation make CAULILINI® an ideal choice for adding wholesome goodness to your diet without compromising on flavor or requiring extensive culinary effort. It’s a versatile vegetable that truly stands out.
Ways to Cook CAULILINI® Baby Cauliflower
The versatility of CAULILINI® baby cauliflower is truly impressive, offering a multitude of cooking methods to suit any preference or time constraint. Each bag comes pre-washed and ready-to-use, often in a steamable pouch, providing an incredibly convenient option for a quick side dish. Simply pop it into the microwave for a few minutes, and you have tender, ready-to-eat vegetables. This makes it an ideal choice for those hectic evenings when time is of the essence.
Beyond microwaving, CAULILINI® shines with various culinary techniques:
- Grilling: Toss with olive oil and your favorite spices, then grill until tender-crisp with beautiful char marks for a smoky flavor.
- Sautéing: Quickly sauté in a pan with garlic and a touch of butter or olive oil for a vibrant, flavorful side.
- Roasting: Roast in the oven with herbs and spices for a deeper, caramelized flavor and tender interior.
- Frying: Whether pan-fried or air-fried, frying brings out its natural sweetness and creates a lovely crispy exterior.
- Pickling: Its mild flavor makes it an excellent candidate for pickling, offering a tangy and crunchy condiment.
My personal favorite, and the star of this post, is preparing CAULILINI® in the air fryer. It’s just as quick and convenient as microwaving, but it delivers an unparalleled crispy texture and a delightful roasted flavor that elevates the vegetable to new heights. The air fryer method ensures even cooking and a perfectly tender-crisp result every time, making it an indispensable tool for preparing this fantastic baby cauliflower.
How to Make Air Fryer Caulilini
Crafting perfectly crispy and delicious Air Fryer Parmesan Roasted CAULILINI® is incredibly simple and requires minimal effort, making it the ideal choice for a healthy and quick side dish. The air fryer works its magic, ensuring that each delicate floret and tender stalk is cooked to perfection with a delightful texture. Here’s a brief overview of the process:
- Start with a fresh 10oz bag of CAULILINI® baby cauliflower. There’s no need for pre-steaming; simply remove it from the bag.
- Place the CAULILINI® in a bowl and drizzle generously with olive oil. This helps achieve that desirable crispy exterior and ensures seasonings adhere well.
- Season the CAULILINI® with your favorite spices. I highly recommend smoked paprika for a hint of warmth and depth, along with a good pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated.
- Carefully arrange the seasoned CAULILINI® in your air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd it. This promotes even cooking and optimal crispiness.
- Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for about 8 minutes.
- After the initial cooking time, open the air fryer, give the CAULILINI® a good toss, and sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese will melt beautifully and create a savory, golden crust.
- Return to the air fryer for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is perfectly melted and lightly browned, and the CAULILINI® has developed a delicious char.
This straightforward method yields a profoundly flavorful and satisfying vegetable dish that’s both healthy and utterly addictive. The combination of tender CAULILINI®, smoky paprika, and melted parmesan is truly irresistible.
CAULILINI® Baby Cauliflower Nutrition Information
Beyond its delightful taste and ease of preparation, CAULILINI® baby cauliflower is a nutritional powerhouse, making it an excellent addition to any health-conscious diet. As a member of the brassica family, it carries many of the incredible health benefits associated with cruciferous vegetables, which are renowned for their high vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant content.
For example, a serving of five pieces of CAULILINI® contains approximately:
- Calories: 20 kcal
- Fat: 0 grams
- Net Carbs: 2 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
These impressive macros highlight CAULILINI® as an incredibly low-calorie, virtually fat-free, and low-carb option, while still offering a decent amount of protein for a vegetable. Cruciferous vegetables are well-known for their dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and promotes satiety, and for being rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and various B vitamins, as well as minerals like potassium and manganese. They also contain unique compounds like sulforaphane, which have been studied for their potential health-protective properties.
Incorporating CAULILINI® into your meals is an easy and delicious way to boost your nutrient intake, support overall health, and maintain a balanced diet. Its favorable nutritional profile makes it a fantastic choice for those following various dietary plans, including keto, low-carb, or simply seeking wholesome, unprocessed foods.
Where to Buy CAULILINI® Baby Cauliflower
Eager to try this fantastic vegetable for yourself? Finding CAULILINI® baby cauliflower is easier than you might think. Mann’s Fresh Vegetables has made it accessible in many grocery stores across the country. To locate the store nearest to you that carries this unique and delicious product, simply visit the official Mann’s Fresh Vegetables website.
Their convenient Product Store Locator tool allows you to input your zip code and discover where you can purchase CAULILINI® in your area. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to add this versatile, nutrient-rich, and incredibly tasty baby cauliflower to your culinary repertoire. It’s a wonderful way to bring fresh, exciting flavors and healthy choices to your kitchen table.
Air Fryer Parmesan Roasted CAULILINI® Baby Cauliflower
Brandi Crawford
Pin Recipe
3
12
15
dinner, lunch, Side Dish
American
4
100 kcal
Equipment
- Cosori Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 10 oz fresh CAULILINI® baby cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place the CAULILINI® baby cauliflower in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Sprinkle the smoked paprika throughout and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the CAULILINI® baby cauliflower to the air fryer basket. Air fry for 8 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- Open the air fryer and sprinkle the parmesan cheese throughout. Air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes until the cheese has melted and the CAULILINI® baby cauliflower is charred to your liking.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving
Calories: 100kcal
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 7g
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information for a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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