Greek Salad With Croutons Recipes

TRADITIONAL GREEK SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Cut the red onion in half and thinly slice into half moons. (If you want to take the edge off, place the sliced onions in a solution of iced water and vinegar for a bit before adding to the salad. I do this in the video).
• Cut the tomatoes into wedges or large chunks (I sliced some into rounds and cut the rest in wedges).
• Cut the partially peeled cucumber in half length-wise, then slice into thick halves (at least 1/2" in thickness)
• Thinly slice the bell pepper into rings.
• Place everything in a large salad dish. Add a good handful of pitted kalamata olives.
• Season very lightly with kosher salt (just a pinch) and a bit of dried oregano.
• Pour the olive oil and red wine vinegar all over the salad. Give everything a very gentle toss to mix (do NOT over mix, this salad is not meant to be handled too much).
• Now add the the feta blocks on top and add a sprinkle more of dried oregano.
• Serve with crusty bread.

GREEK SALAD WITH CROUTONS

Steps:

• Make croutons: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Pull 1- to 2-inch chunks from the inside of the sourdough bread and add to a small mixing bowl (you should have about 1 to 1½ cups of bread crumbs). Drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt, mixing well with your hands to combine. Spread the bread in a single layer on a large, rimmed baking sheet and toast for 25 minutes.
• Remove the croutons from the oven and set aside to cool. Marinate tomatoes: Remove and discard any stems. Cut into varying sizes, then place the cut tomatoes on a plate and season with salt. Drizzle with olive oil. Tear and scatter the basil and parsley leaves over the tomatoes.While the tomatoes are marinating, prepare the feta cheese. Drizzle the cheese with olive oil and freshly ground black pepper, and set aside.
• Make the vinaigrette: Combine the dried oregano, black pepper, salt, grated garlic clove, vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil.Slice and set the cucumber aside. Quarter the onion lengthwise, and slice into thin slivers. If you have time, rinse the raw onions in ice water. Set aside.
• Assemble the salad: Spoon the marinated tomatoes onto a serving platter. Dress the croutons with a little of the vinaigrette and toss to coat. Add the sliced cucumbers and onions to the croutons, then drizzle with a little more vinaigrette. Layer the mixture on top of the tomatoes. Scatter the olives around the salad, crumble the feta cheese on top, and add a little more oregano and olive oil to finish.

CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD WITH HOMEMADE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place bread on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Whisk together oil, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper in a liquid measure. Pour mixture over the bread and toss with your hands until evenly coated. Spread bread mixture into a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and toasted, yet slightly soft in the center, 15 to 18 minutes, tossing croutons a few times during baking. Remove from the oven and let cool completely while you prepare the salad.
• Place garlic, anchovies, and salt in a large salad serving bowl; press the mixture with a fork until a paste forms. Stir in egg yolk, lemon juice, Dijon, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined. Slowly whisk in olive oil until all is incorporated and mixture is well blended and smooth. Stir in 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove about 1/4 cup of dressing and set aside for another use.
• When ready to serve, add lettuce and 1/2 of the croutons to the bowl with the remaining dressing; toss until well coated. Reserve remaining croutons for another use.
• Sprinkle salad with additional Parmesan and pepper if desired. Serve immediately.

CUCUMBER-TOMATO SALAD WITH SEARED HALLOUMI AND OLIVE OIL CROUTONS

Steps:

• Make the croutons: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut each slice of bread into 1-inch-wide strips. Tear each strip into 1-inch pieces, removing the crust as you go if it is very thick. Transfer to a large baking sheet (or use 2 sheets, if necessary to prevent crowding). Drizzle with olive oil and toss until evenly coated.
• Bake until golden brown and crunchy on the outside, 18 to 22 minutes, rotating the baking sheet and turning the croutons halfway through so they brown evenly, and checking them every few minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with a light sprinkling of salt, if needed. Let cool on the baking sheet.
• Make the salad: In a colander in the sink, toss the cucumbers with about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Place a bag of ice cubes or an ice pack on top to chill and firm the cucumbers. Let drain while you prepare the other ingredients.
• In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes with about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss and set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
• Slice the halloumi about 1/4-inch thick, then cut into bite-size strips. Smash and peel the garlic cloves and combine with 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil in a small bowl to steep.
• Pour off excess liquid from the bowl holding the tomatoes. Add drained cucumbers, red onion or scallions, fresh herbs and 2 tablespoons vinegar to tomatoes and toss well. Remove and discard the garlic cloves from the extra-virgin olive oil, add the oil to tomatoes and mix well. (If desired, the salad can be made up until this point and refrigerated for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Drain off excess liquid in the bottom of the bowl before proceeding.)
• When ready to serve, add about half the croutons to the salad and toss so they can absorb the liquid. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt, pepper, extra-virgin olive oil and vinegar.
• Cook the halloumi: Line a plate with paper towels and lightly coat a nonstick skillet with extra-virgin olive oil. Heat oil over medium-high until rippling. Working in batches, cook the halloumi strips on both sides until golden-brown and crusty, about 1 minute per side. Remove to the plate to drain.
• Taste and add more croutons to salad as desired. (If there are too many, the salad will be starchy; too few, and it will be wet.) At the last minute, toss in the halloumi, add another good glug of extra-virgin olive oil, mix gently and serve immediately. (If desired, transfer to a clean bowl or platter for serving.)

GREEN SALAD WITH CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Place bread cubes in a bowl; sprinkle the tablespoon of oil over them. Toss gently. Arrange cubes on cookie sheet, and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until nicely browned.
• In a large serving bowl, mix the mustard, garlic, salt, pepper and vinegar. Stir in the 4 tablespoons of oil.
• To serve, add the endive to the dressing. Toss thoroughly, and divide among 6 plates. Top with croutons.