Parmesan Archives - Noble Pig

Baked (Low Carb) Parmesan Cauli-Tots

Cathy Pollak — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 13:00:57 +0000

Crispy, cheesy and tasty, these Baked (Low Carb) Parmesan Cauliflower Tots are the answer to a healthy dinner side dish everyone in the family will love.

Cauliflower Tots

I have to admit I was a little skeptical at the idea of what cauliflower tots might taste like. As we all know, it can be really challenging to swap out potato for another vegetable and still make it taste delicious and satisfying. Carbohydrates are so hard to replace in the yummy department. And quite honestly I had to play with the recipe many times to get it just right taste and texture wise. The end result are these very delicous Baked (Low Carb) Cauli-Tots. I promise you’re going to love them.

Are Cauliflower Tots Healthy

Since cauli-tots are made with cauliflower and not potatoes, they are most definitely a healthy alternative to traditional tater tots or French fries. In fact, recipes replacing potatoes with cauliflower as one of its main ingredients contain about forty-five percent fewer calories than their counterparts. Yay for this!

I highly suggest you also give my Old Bay Cauliflower Salad, Mini Cauliflower-Boursin Souffles, and my Cheesy Cauliflower Ranch Bites a try. You will love every bite of these recipes and save yourself a boatload of calories, without the loss of a delicious, comfort food, dish. And you definitely won’t feel guilty about eating more than a handful of these cauli-tots.

These mock tater tots are also a great way to get your picky vegetable eaters to try something different!

Are Cauliflower Tots Keto Friendly

Not all cauliflower tots are keto friendly, especially if they are covered in bread crumbs or dredged in any type of all-purpose flour. However, this version of low carb tots is very keto friendly, with each tot only having 0.5 grams of net carbs. Amazing, right? You can definitely eat a few more than planned with those types of stats. Trust me, you definitely won’t miss the potato, and unlike many other cauliflower recipes, you can’t actually taste much of the cauliflower. It’s a win-win.

A food processor is needed to get the cauliflower into the right consistency for tot making. It will be almost paste like.

How Are Cauliflower Tots Made

cauliflower is steamed
mixture of egg, Parmesan, cream cheese and other seasonings are combined
cauliflower and egg mixture is combined in a food processor
tots are formed using a #50 scoop and placed on a baking sheet with Parmesan sprinkled on top
baked in the oven for 30 minutes

Use Parmesan cheese that looks likes this to sprinkle on top of the formed cauli-tots.

Can Cauliflower Tots Be Made In The Air Fryer

I did try making this particular recipe in the air fryer and quite honestly they were not as good as when they were baked in the oven. The air fryer took about fifteen minutes to get them brown, but the texture was just too mushy. However, the air fryer is great for reheating the next day and takes about five minutes at 390 degrees F.

The tots come out the oven perfectly golden brown and crispy around the edges. I promise you are going to be craving these bite-sized tots!

What Can I Serve With Cauliflower Tots

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What Equipment Do I Need To Make Cauliflower Tots

A food processor (11 cup capacity). This gets the cauliflower into the the proper consistency.
A #50 scoop is essential to making the perfect sized cauliflower tots. The dough is very sticky, making it difficult to handle by hand.

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Baked (Low Carb) Cauli-Tots

Crispy, cheesy and tasty, these Baked (Low Carb) Parmesan Cauli-Tots are the answer to a healthy dinner side dish everyone in the family will love.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Baked Low Carb Cauli Tots

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 30

Resting Time 5

Total Time 1

Servings tots

Calories 31kcal

Author Cathy Pollak

Ingredients

1-1/4 lbs cauliflower florets
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (green can)
2 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp avocado oil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp coarse ground black pepper
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, chopped slightly

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
In a large pot, fitted with a steamer basket, steam cauliflower until it is fork tender, but not mushy. Let cool 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl, mix together egg, grated Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, avocado oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper. It will be very paste like. Set aside.
In the bowl of a food processor (at least 11 cup capacity) add steamed cauliflower and Parmesan paste. Process until mixture is fully combined. Mixture will be very sticky and there should not be any large pieces of cauliflower visible.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a #50 scoop, scoop out cauliflower mixture and run a knife across the back to compact mixture, making it flat on one side. Repeat until all of the mixture is used. (Should make about 40 tots, so eight rows of 5 tots each.)
Place store-bought shredded Parmesan on a cutting board and chop it slightly as the shreds can be a little long. (see picture above). Sprinkle some on the top of each tot, pressing it in slightly. Some will fall around the base of the tot when you do this and that's good. It forms a nice crunchy little base.
Place tots in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Place a piece of parchment on top of the tots and bake for another 15 minutes. Tots should be nice and golden brown with a slight crunch, but will still feel slightly soft as these are not potatoes.
Let sit for five minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
These reheat great in the microwave, oven, air fryer or deep fryer.

Nutrition

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The post Baked (Low Carb) Parmesan Cauli-Tots appeared first on Noble Pig.

Quick Chicken and Pesto Pasta

Cathy Pollak — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 16:11:06 +0000

Get dinner on the table with this Quick Chicken and Pesto Pasta. It’s full of flavor and makes great leftovers for lunch.

Chicken and Pesto Pasta

This pesto bowtie pasta with chicken answers the age-old question “what should I eat for dinner“.

Chicken and Pesto Pasta checks all the boxes when it comes to a time-saving, but still delicious meal. And because pesto bowtie pasta is red and green, this dish can easily make an appearance during the holiday season for anyone celebrating Christmas. The colors of the mixed together bow tie pasta look festive in a serving bowl.

Using already prepared pesto is the key to making this meal come to together in minutes. Pick some jarred pesto up the next time you are at the market. I keep several jars in my fridge for last minute meals like this one.

If you happen to have basil or any herbs growing out of control this time of year, you can easily make your own pesto too.

Ingredients

Pantry Ingredients

bow-tie pasta noodles – also known as farfalle or butterfly pasta noodles
roasted red peppers – found next to the pickles in the grocery store
prepared pesto – this can be found in both the refrigerated and unrefrigerated sections of the grocery store.
olive oil
salt and pepper

Fresh Ingredients

chicken -thinly sliced skinless, boneless breasts
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

How To Make Chicken and Pesto Pasta

Step One: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Step Two: Season chicken well with salt and pepper. Warm oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until it is no longer pink inside, about 6-7 minutes per side. Let rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes and then cut into 1/2″ pieces.

Step Three: Add bow-tie pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.

Step Four: In a large bowl combine pasta and pesto. Add chicken and red pepper. Toss and season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle each serving with Parmesan cheese.

This pesto bowtie pasta with chicken is also the perfect meal to take to the office for lunch! It holds up well and doesn’t dry out.

Tips and Tricks

Use thin-sliced chicken breasts or slice your boneless, skinless chicken breasts in half lengthwise. They cook much faster, so you’ll be eating much sooner. I do this for my chicken orzo recipe too.
Freshly grated Parmesan has a much better flavor than already grated and is sliced much thinner. Skip the green can.

Jarred Roasted Red Peppers vs. Fresh

A jar of roasted red peppers goes a long way when it comes to adding flavor without packing on the calories.

The roasted version bears little resemblance to raw, red, bell peppers as the roasting process changes them from a firm, crunchy vegetable to a velvety, soft consistency.

Roasting also brings out the pepper’s natural sweetness.

I love using roasted red peppers. The peppers bring so much tangy deliciousness to the dish.

Basically, you can’t go wrong with them, so don’t be shy when it comes to adding them to your favorite meals.

Serving Suggestions

MORE PASTA SALAD RECIPES

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Quick Chicken and Pesto Pasta

Get dinner on the table with this Quick Chicken and Pesto Pasta. It's full of flavor and makes great leftovers for lunch.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Chicken and Pesto Pasta, Pesto Bowtie Pasta With Chicken

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings people

Calories 480kcal

Author Cathy Pollak

Ingredients

1-1/2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, sliced lengthwise for quick cooking
2 tbsp olive oil or other high temperature oil
12 oz bow-tie pasta
6-7 oz jar prepared pesto
1 (16) oz jar roasted red peppers, drained, cut into strips
1/2 cup grated Parmesan for serving

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Season chicken well with salt and pepper. Warm oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until it is no longer pink inside, about 6-7 minutes per side. Let rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes and then cut into 1/2" pieces.
Add bow-tie pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.
In a large bowl combine pasta and pesto. Add chicken and red pepper. Toss and season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle each serving with Parmesan cheese.

Video

Nutrition

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The post Quick Chicken and Pesto Pasta appeared first on Noble Pig.

Air Fryer Chickpeas with Parmesan

Cathy Pollak — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 21:13:35 +0000

Crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these Air Fryer Chickpeas are the perfect snack on their own, or toss them on top of salads or into a snack mix. Making these air fried chickpeas is a quick and easy way to achieve the perfect chickpea crispness.

Chickpeas, otherwise known as garbanzo beans, have always been one of my favorite additions to salads, certain chicken dishes and obviously hummus. I can open a can of chickpeas and happily eat them with a fork too. There is something quite satisfying about the subtle, earthy flavor grainy texture of a chickpea.

Up until now, my go-to method for making my chickpeas crispy, was in the oven, sweet and savory versions are particularly my favorites. However, these days I’m enjoying cooking things in my air fryer. I don’t think a day goes by without making use of it in one way or another. It’s a great appliance to have around for summer as it doesn’t heat up the kitchen. Bring on the warm weather!

I use a handful of ingredients to season these Air Fryer Chickpeas and they are flavor-packed. The normally understated taste profile of the chickpea allows it to take on seasoning spices, letting any added flavor shine through.

Chickpeas as a snack are also great for gluten free or plant-based diets.

How To Air Fry Chickpeas With Parmesan

One of the tricks to making crispy chickpeas is making sure they are completely dry before adding any olive oil and spices. Rinse canned chickpeas and place them on top of paper towels to dry, blotting the tops with more paper towels. If you can leave them sitting there to air dry for an hour or two, even better.
Combine all ingredients with the chickpeas until they are uniformly seasoned.
Air fry chickpeas in batches, shaking them every 5 minutes to avoid sticking and for even cooking.
Enjoy them immediately or cool them completely and add to salads, a snack mix or enjoy on their own.

Tips and Tricks

As mentioned previously, starting with dry chickpeas before seasoning them is key for flavor in this recipe.
Don’t want to overcrowd them. I let each batch air fry for 5 minutes and give them a shake and air fry them for another 5 minutes, or until they are the desired crispness I prefer.
There is a secret to keeping the chickpeas crispy after you’ve made them, especially if you want to store them for a couple of days. Air flow is very important, so plastic bags are out. Storing them at room temperature in parchment bags keeps the crunch factor alive. I’ve linked my favorite parchment bags in the recipe card below.
You can re-crisp them in the air fryer if you need to.

If you are putting to together a snack mix, don’t forget to add these to your ingredient list.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie to air frying, these recipes will have you cooking up a storm and impressing all your friends and family. So say goodbye to greasy and hello to crispy with these air fryer recipes that will have your taste buds doing the happiest of dances.

Indulge in this juicy and luscious air fryer Caribbean spiced chicken that boasts the exotic flavors and flair of the Caribbean in every bite, while the air fryer seals in its succulence to perfection, as always.
For seafood enthusiasts who crave a tasty blend of sweet and savory, this mouthwatering maple soy salmon air fryer recipe is a must-try.
Get in on the trend of air fryer desserts with these air fryer apple chimichangas that offer a hassle-free way to indulge in the classic flavors of apple pie. No fuss, no mess, just pure deliciousness.
Experience the ultimate flakiness and crunchiness with these air fryer fish nuggets. Move over chicken nuggets, these irresistible bites may just become your kids’ new favorite meal.
Enjoy the delicate and crumbly texture of these air fryer hand pies that are cooked to crispy perfection.
Perfect for even the busiest of weeknights, air fryer bang bang shrimp can be on your dinner table quicker than you can order takeout.
This air fryer pumpkin spice Chex snack mix is a must-try during the holiday season and will leave you craving for more with its irresistible taste and aroma.
Experience a special breakfast without the hassle with these thick and dunkable air fryer French toast sticks that are air-fried to perfection.
Elevate your campfire treat game with these air-fried and crispy s’mores egg rolls.
Conquer your breakfast rush with these air fryer bagels that are the ultimate solution for a quick and easy morning meal.
These low carb air fryer pickles serve as the perfect guilt-free snack for any gathering.

Chick-Pea Amazed

If you find yourself making a crunchy snack mix with these air fried chickpeas, I’d love it if you snapped a photo and tagged @NOBLEPIG and #noblepig on INSTAGRAM so I can see how this crispy, crunchy, and downright addictive snack has you saying ‘more peas, please!’

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Air Fryer Chickpeas with Parmesan

Crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these Air Fryer Chickpeas are the perfect snack on their own, or toss them on top of salads or into a snack mix. Making these air fried chickpeas is a quick and easy way to achieve the perfect chickpea crispness.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword Air Fryer Chickpeas

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings

Calories 210kcal

Author Cathy Pollak

Equipment

Ingredients

2 (15 oz.) cans chickpeas, drained and patted completely dry
2 tbsps. olive oil
1/4 cup gated (crumbly) Parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
zest of one lemon
1 tsp dried oregano leaves
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

Instructions

Drain and rinse your chickpeas under cold water, patting completely dry with a paper towel.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss gently until chickpeas are covered uniformly in seasonings.
Set air fryer to 390 degrees F. Divide chickpeas into three batches, air frying one batch at a time as to not overcrowd them. Air fry for 5-6 minutes, remove and shake the basket and air fry for another 5 minutes or until desired crispiness is reached. Repeat with each batch until done.
Serve immediately or cool chickpeas in a single layer on paper towels or parchment sheets before storing in parchment bags for up to three days.

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is only an estimation and variation will occur based on the ingredients/brands you use.

Nutrition

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Air Fryer Chickpeas with Parmesan appeared first on Noble Pig.