Salad With Crisp Croutons Recipes

CRISPY GARLIC PARMESAN CROUTONS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine the garlic and olive oil in a small mixing bowl. Let sit out at room temperature for at least 4 hours to infuse.
• Preheat oven to 300 F. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and add to a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup of the cheese, dried herbs, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
• Strain the garlic oil over the bread cubes, pressing the garlic with the back of a spoon to get every drop of garlicky goodness. Toss with a spatula until the bread is evenly coated.
• Pour the mixture onto a baking sheet and place in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove, and stir the croutons, as the ones on the outside will cook faster than those in the center. Return to oven, and cook for 15 more minutes.
• Remove from oven, and sprinkle the last 1/4 of cheese over the croutons. Return to oven, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until browned and crunchy. Allow them to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

SALAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Pour the oil into an 8-in. square baking pan; add garlic. Bake at 325° until garlic is lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Add bread and onion salt; stir to coat. Bake 10-12 minutes longer or until the bread is lightly browned, stirring frequently. Store in an airtight container.

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.

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.

KALE SALAD WITH PEACHES AND CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Prepare the cornbread croutons: In a medium bowl, whisk 3 tablespoons olive oil with the paprika, onion powder and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the cornbread pieces, crumbling them gently between your fingers as you do. Using a rubber spatula, fold the mixture gently until evenly coated. (The croutons will crumble, but do not panic: The smaller size means more crispy bits.)
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the cornbread mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
• Make the dressing: In a large bowl, stir together the red onion, olive oil, vinegar, mustard and honey with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. (You should have 3/4 cup dressing.)
• Add the kale to the dressing and toss to coat. Then, using your hands, assertively massage the kale until tender. Add the peaches and blue cheese, and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer salad to a shallow platter or individual plates, and top with half the crispy cornbread crumbs. Serve with remaining cornbread crumbs, passing them at the table.

SPRING SALAD WITH CRISPY CHICKEN AND BACONY CROUTONS

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 475ºF. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Using kitchen shears, remove bones, keeping skin and flesh intact; discard bones. Season chicken all over with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
• Heat a medium cast-iron or heavy ovenproof skillet over medium-high until hot but not smoking. Sear chicken skin side down, undisturbed, 2 minutes. Continue to cook, turning occasionally, until fat renders and skin is golden brown, 4-6 minutes more. Transfer chicken to a plate. Carefully pour off all but 2 tsp. fat and wipe off any fat that drips onto side or bottom of skillet. Return chicken to skillet skin side up. Transfer to oven and roast chicken, tenting skillet with foil if skin becomes too dark halfway through, until skin crisps and meat is cooked through, 8-12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until just crispy, 4-5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a large heatproof bowl. Pour off all but 2 Tbsp. fat. Heat fat in skillet over medium. Add bread in an even layer, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook, turning pieces occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat; add 1 Tbsp. vinegar and toss until absorbed. Let cool a few minutes, then taste and season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer croutons to bowl with bacon.
• Remove chicken from oven and transfer to a plate; reserve skillet with fat and pan drippings. Let chicken cool 5-10 minutes, then cut into 1" pieces.
• Cook shallot, peas, 1/8 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper in reserved skillet over medium-low heat, stirring, until shallots are softened and peas are cooked, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in oil and remaining 2 Tbsp. vinegar (mixture will bubble) with a heatproof spatula. (If you want to ensure bright green peas, cook them separately in a small saucepan of boiling water or in the microwave and sprinkle over top of salad after plating.)
• Add escarole, fennel, and radishes to bowl with bacon and croutons. Pour warm dressing over. Toss to combine and slightly wilt greens.
• Mound salad among plates; nestle in chicken pieces. Top with mint. Serve immediately.