Chefs Salad With Kale And Potato Croutons Recipes

CHEF'S SALAD WITH KALE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Make the croutons: Toss the bread cubes with the olive oil, cheese and half of the scallions on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Use a spatula to flip and stir the croutons to coat in the melted cheese. Bake until golden brown and crisp, about 6 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing: Whisk the mayonnaise with the chili sauce, the remaining scallions, half of the pickles, and the pickle juice. Toss the kale and iceberg lettuce with half of the dressing in a large bowl. Divide among bowls and top with the tomatoes, roast beef, turkey, croutons and the remaining pickles. Serve with the remaining dressing.

CHEF'S SALAD

Steps:

• Add the potatoes, plant-based chicken, watercress, peas, tomatoes, lettuce, olives, scallions and carrots to a large salad bowl.
• Add the oil, vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, and a small pinch of salt and pepper to a small jar with a tightly secured lid and shake well.
• Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well until evenly coated.

ITALIAN STEAK SALAD WITH PARMESAN CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425˚. Combine the whole grape tomatoes, red onion chunks, basil and vinegar in a blender. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and blend until almost smooth. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and puree until smooth. Remove 2 tablespoons of the dressing to a small bowl.
• Place each steak half between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound on both sides with the flat side of a meat mallet until 3/4 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper and brush with the reserved 2 tablespoons dressing. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the steak and sear until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Transfer to a cutting board to rest.
• Meanwhile, toss the bread chunks with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil on a baking sheet. Bake, tossing once, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately toss with the grated parmesan; season with salt and pepper.
• Combine the endive, radicchio, romaine, halved grape tomatoes, sliced red onion and croutons in a large bowl; drizzle with the dressing and toss. Divide among plates and top with shaved parmesan. Thinly slice the steak and add to the salads.

CHEF'S SALAD

Steps:

• Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and put into a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss with 1/2 cup of the dressing. Divide the lettuce among 4 large individual serving bowls. Arrange the cheese, meats, eggs, and avocado, like the spokes of a wheel, on top of each salad. Scatter the tomatoes, cucumbers, and croutons on top. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve and pass the remaining dressing at the table.

VEGETARIAN CHEF'S SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Toss the mushrooms with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste on a baking sheet. Roast until tender and golden, about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, put the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water; bring to a boil. Add the wax beans and remove from the heat; cover and let stand 10 minutes. Drain, then rinse the eggs and beans under cold water. Peel and quarter the eggs; set aside. Toss the beans with 1 teaspoon vinegar and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Cut three-quarters of the tofu into sticks. Make the dressing: Combine one-third of the mushrooms, the remaining tofu, 3 tablespoons vinegar and 1 tablespoon olive oil, the yogurt, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a food processor and puree. Toss with the greens; season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls. Top with the remaining mushrooms and tofu, the eggs, beans, beets, cheese and sunflower seeds.
• Photograph by Justin Walker

CHOPPED SALAD WITH CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Spread the cornbread cubes on a small baking pan. Bake, flipping halfway through, until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool.
• Combine the lettuce, cabbage, black-eyed peas, corn, tomatoes and pimientos in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Serve topped with the red onion and cornbread croutons.

CHEF'S SALAD

Steps:

• Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and put into a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper and toss with 1/2 cup of the dressing. Divide the lettuce among 4 large individual serving bowls. Arrange the cheese, meats, eggs, and avocado, like the spokes of a wheel, on top of each salad. Scatter the tomatoes, cucumbers and croutons on top. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve and pass the remaining dressing at the table.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir in the shallots. Gradually whisk in the oil to make a smooth dressing. Use immediately or store covered, in the refrigerator, for up to a week.
• Set a medium bowl on a kitchen towel shaped like an "O" (this helps keep the bowl steady while whisking). Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, garlic, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper in the bowl. Slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking continuously until the mixture is combined and blended well. Use right away, or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. For variety, add your favorite dried or chopped fresh herbs.
• Mash the garlic and salt to a paste with the side of a chef's knife. In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, mayonnaise, 1/4 cup buttermilk, parsley, chives, scallion, vinegar and pepper to taste. If the sauce is very thick, thin the dressing with a couple tablespoons more of the buttermilk. Use immediately or store covered, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, 1/4 cup blue cheese, half and half, sour cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and salt, until smooth. Gently stir in the remaining 1/4 cup blue cheese and season with pepper to taste. Use now or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Make a paste with the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt by crushing them with the side of a chef's knife. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the garlic, mayonnaise, chili sauce, ketchup, onion, relish and egg until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

CHEF'S SALAD

Steps:

• Cook bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium. Add bacon, and cook until browned and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to cool. Place in a resealable plastic bag; store at room temperature.
• Prep lettuce, meats, and cheese: Cut romaine into 1-inch ribbons; wash well, and dry. Place in a resealable plastic bag; refrigerate. Cut turkey, ham, and cheese into bite-size strips. Place in an airtight container; cover, and refrigerate.
• Make dressing: Squeeze lemon into a small bowl. Mince scallion; add to bowl, along with sour cream, mayonnaise, and 2 tablespoons water. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Cover and refrigerate.
• Toss salad: In a large bowl, combine lettuce, meats, and cheese. Add dressing, and toss to coat. Serve salad topped with crumbled bacon.

CHEESY POTATO AND KALE GRATIN WITH RYE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 350ºF. Arrange bread slices on a rimmed baking sheet and bake, flipping once halfway through, until dry and lightly toasted, 15-20 minutes. Let cool. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag and break into irregular, 1/2"-1" pieces. Transfer to a medium bowl; set aside.
• Meanwhile, wash and spin-dry kale, then layer between paper towels or a large clean kitchen towel and pat dry.
• Mix Gruyère and Parmesan in a medium bowl. Shingle one-quarter of potatoes in 3 or 4 rows, slightly overlapping, in bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle with one-quarter of thyme, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Top with 2 cups kale and one-quarter of cheese mixture. Repeat 2 more times. Shingle remaining potatoes over cheese; top with 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/8 tsp. pepper, and remaining thyme. Reserve remaining kale and cheese.
• Stir cream, garlic, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper in a liquid measuring cup. Pour evenly over potatoes.
• Bake gratin 40 minutes. Cover with foil and continue to bake until cream is bubbling and thick and potatoes are tender when pierced with a paring knife, 35-45 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, toss reserved croutons with 2 Tbsp. oil in a medium bowl. Toss remaining kale with remaining 1 Tbsp. oil. Top gratin with kale, remaining cheese, then croutons, allowing kale pieces to peek through. Bake gratin until croutons are golden brown and exposed kale edges are well-crisped, about 15 minutes more. Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving.
• Do Ahead
• Bread can be toasted 3 days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Kale can be torn, washed, and patted dry 3 days ahead. Wrap in paper towels, place in a resealable plastic bag, and chill.
• Gratin can be made 1 day ahead. Let cool, then wrap tightly in plastic and chill. Bring to room temperature, cover with foil, and warm in a 300ºF oven until heated through, 15-20 minutes. Uncover and continue to warm to re-crisp croutons and exposed kale edges, about 5 minutes.