Mixed Green Salad With Warm Cream Cheese Croutons Recipes

MIXED GREEN SALAD WITH WARM CREAM CHEESE 'CROUTONS'

Steps:

• Combine first 3 ingredients in shallow dish. Add cream cheese cubes in small batches; toss until evenly coated with crumb mixture. Place on waxed paper-covered plate.
• Heat large heavy nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat. Add cream cheese cubes, a few at a time; cook 3 min. or until evenly browned, turning frequently.
• Combine remaining ingredients in large bowl; top with toasted cream cheese cubes.

MIXED GREEN SALAD

Steps:

• Tear the lettuce leaves into bite-sized pieces and transfer them to a large salad bowl. Add the cucumber, tomatoes, and onion. Sprinkle with the oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper, and toss to combine.

CITRUS AND GREENS SALAD WITH WONTON CROUTONS

Steps:

• Grate a teaspoon of zest from the orange and set aside in a small bowl.
• To make the citrus supremes: Using a paring knife, cut off 1/2-inch from both ends of the orange and grapefruit and stand them upright so they sit flat on the cutting board. Make downward cuts, following the contour of the fruit, to remove the entire pith and peel. Hold the orange in your hand over the bowl with the zest (to catch the juice) and carefully slice between the membranes to remove the segments. Squeeze the orange remnants to release the remaining juice. Place the orange supremes in a separate bowl and set aside. Repeat with the grapefruit, adding the juices to the zest bowl for a total of about 3 tablespoons juice. Set aside the orange and grapefruit supremes.
• To make the salad dressing: Into the bowl with the reserved citrus juice and zest, add the mustard, vinegar, honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds black pepper. Whisk in the olive oil.
• Place the kale in a large serving bowl. Add the onions and drizzle with the dressing. Toss to coat. Season with salt if needed. Top with the citrus supremes, sesame seeds and Wontons. Drizzle with more dressing, as needed. Serve immediately.
• Heat about 2 inches neutral oil in a large saucepan to 365 degrees F and fill a small bowl with water. Set a wire rack over a baking sheet and set aside.
• Combine the goat cheese, chives, honey, a pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper in a small bowl. Mash with a spoon to combine.
• To form the wontons: Lay out the wonton wrappers and add 1 teaspoon filling to the center of each. To seal, dip your finger in the water and wet the perimeter of the wrapper. With your thumb and forefinger, fold 2 opposite corners of the wrapper in half and then bring them together to meet in the middle. Pinch to seal. Repeat with the remaining 2 opposite corners to create a four-cornered star.
• Add half of the wontons to the oil and fry, turning occasionally, until crisp and deep golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on the wire rack. Season with salt. Repeat with the second batch of wontons.

MIXED GREENS WITH ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES AND FRIED GOAT CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the salad: Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with some olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until tender and starting to brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, toast the pecans in a large skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool, then chop.
• For the vinaigrette: Whisk together the champagne vinegar, orange juice, honey, Dijon and shallot in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil; season with some salt and pepper.
• For the goat cheese croutons: Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Slice the goat cheese into 8 equal rounds. Add to 3 shallow dishes, the flour, egg and panko. Coat each goat cheese round with flour, then egg and then panko, shaking off excess, and fry until golden on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a paper-towel lined rack or plate.
• To assemble the salad, toss the greens, pear, pecans and tomatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with some vinaigrette and gently toss to fully combine. Divide the salad among 4 salad plates, top each with 2 goat cheese croutons, and serve.