Best Caesar Croutons Recipes

CREOLE CAESAR SALAD WITH CORN BREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the salad:
• Place half the fried okra in a large bowl and add the romaine, corn, corn bread, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Add the dressing and toss until well coated.
• Divide the salad among six serving plates and top evenly with the remaining okra. Serve immediately.
• For the Creole Caesar dressing:
• In a small saucepan, combine the oil, garlic, and onion. Cook over low heat until the garlic and onion are golden and tender, about 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic and onion to a food processor; reserve the oil.
• Add the vinegar, bell pepper, celery, sugar, cayenne, mayonnaise, Parmesan, and a pinch each of salt and black pepper to the food processor. Pulse until smooth. With the machine running, add the oil in a thin stream and process until emulsified. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

CAESAR SALAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Combine garlic and oil in a small saucepan. Simmer until cloves are a light gold color, about 15 minutes. Pour oil through a fine sieve, squeeze all juice from cloves, and then discard the solids. Set garlic oil aside.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly oil a baking sheet.
• Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake, turning bread cubes periodically, until lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
• In a large, non-stick skillet, melt 1/3 cup ghee with 1/3 cup garlic oil over medium heat. Cook toasted bread cubes in batches until light to medium golden brown, turning frequently. Add more ghee and garlic oil as needed. Turn out into basket lined with paper towels, and drain for about 20 minutes.

CAESAR SALAD WITH CRUNCHY CROUTONS

Steps:

• Make the croutons:
• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Hand-tear the bread into small pieces and put them into a bowl. Add the olive oil, Parmesan, and thyme leaves; season with salt and pepper. Mix this well to combine all the flavors. Spread the cubes out onto a baking sheet and bake until they are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let them cool before tossing them onto the salad.
• Make the dressing: Put the anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, and water into a blender and process for 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth. With the blender running, pour the olive oil in slowly for the dressing to emulsify. Stir in the Parmesan and a couple of grinds of black pepper. Season, to taste, with salt and set aside. (Refrigerate the dressing if you will not be using it right away.)
• Assemble the salad: Tear the lettuce into a large bowl. Add enough dressing to coat the salad to your liking. Add the croutons and some extra Parmesan and toss the salad well. Serve immediately.

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.

CAESAR SALAD WITH SPICY PANCETTA AND CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the cornbread: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Whisk in the buttermilk, milk and eggs. Whisk in the melted butter.
• Coat the sides and bottom of a 9-inch skillet with the remaining butter. Pour the batter into the skillet and bake until the center is firm and a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool. Cut half of the cornbread into cubes. (Devour the other half with butter and jam.)
• For the dressing: Combine the mustard, garlic, a pinch salt and about 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper in a food processor. Pulse to blend. With the machine running, pour the lemon juice and caper juice into the mix. Slowly pour in the olive oil and then the canola oil. Transfer the dressing to a bowl. Taste for seasoning. Too lemony? Add more oil. Too oily, add more lemon. Stir in the anchovies, anchovy oil and a few tablespoons grated Parmesan. Refrigerate. (See Cook's Note.)
• For the salad: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Spread the cornbread cubes on a baking sheet and bake until browned and toasty, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Add about three quarters of the dressing to a large bowl and toss the romaine with the dressing. Grate some Parmesan over the leaves. Use a tea strainer or sifter to sprinkle the pancetta with an even, light layer of the cayenne. Top with salad with the pancetta and warm cornbread croutons and serve immediately.

SPINACH SALAD WITH MEYER LEMON CAESAR DRESSING AND FLATBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Place lemon juice, garlic, mustard, mayonnaise, anchovies, red wine vinegar, salt, and a good amount of freshly ground black pepper in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil and blend until emulsified. Add the grated cheese and blend for a few seconds to incorporate.
• Place spinach in a large bowl, add dressing, and toss to coat each leaf. Add Flatbread Croutons and toss again. Top with shaved Parmesan and serve immediately.
• Flatten flatbread dough, gently press into a large rectangle, brush liberally with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and throw on grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown. Cut into strips about 2 to 3 inches long and 1/4-inch wide.;
• Mix water and yeast in a large bowl and let stand 5 minutes to proof. Gradually pour in 2 cups of the flour and stir to incorporate. Mix for about 1 minute to form a sponge. Let stand, covered, for at least 1 hour.
• Put sponge in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook, add the salt and oil, then add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a dough. Remove from bowl and knead. Place in a clean oiled bowl and let rise, slowly, about 2 1/2 hours. Divide dough into 4 balls, if desired, let rise again for 1/2 hour, and then roll out as desired.

CAESAR SALAD WITH HERBED CROUTONS

Steps:

• Make dressing:
• Combine 1/2 cup Parmesan, anchovies, lemon juice, 3 garlic cloves, and mustard in processor; blend well. With processor running, slowly add olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Make croutons and salad:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, thyme and rosemary; saut until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add bread cubes to skillet with garlic-herb oil and toss to coat. Spread out bread cubes on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake just until croutons are golden, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Place romaine in large bowl. Add 2/3 cup dressing and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and toss to coat. Add croutons and toss well. Serve, passing remaining dressing, Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper separately.

ITALIAN CAESAR SALAD WITH POLENTA CROUTONS

Steps:

• To make the dressing: Finely chop the garlic and anchovies in a food processor. Blend in the lemon juice and mustard. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil. Season the dressing, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• To make the croutons: Spread the olive oil over a small baking sheet. Transfer the hot polenta to the baking sheet, spreading evenly to form an 8 by 5 by 3/4-inch-thick rectangle. Cover and refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.
• Cut the polenta into 3/4-inch cubes. Pat the polenta cubes dry with paper towels. Add enough vegetable oil to a heavy large frying pan to come 1-inch up the sides of the pan. Heat the oil over high heat. Working in batches of 10, carefully add the polenta cubes to the oil 1 at a time and fry until golden brown, stirring to keep the cubes separate, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the polenta croutons to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
• (The dressing and polenta croutons can be prepared 1 day ahead up to this point. Cover the dressing and polenta croutons separately and refrigerate. Rewarm the polenta croutons on a baking sheet in a 350 degrees F oven before serving.)
• To make the salad: Prepare the barbecue for high heat. Grill the lettuce until lightly charred, about 2 minutes per side. Cut the lettuce into bite-size pieces.
• On a serving platter, mound the grilled chopped lettuce. Decoratively scatter the sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts. Drizzle with enough dressing to evenly coat. Sprinkle Parmesan and scatter the warm polenta croutons over and serve immediately.
• Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 12 to 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.
• Lightly oil a half sheet pan. Transfer the hot polenta to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to 3/4-inch thick. Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.

CAESAR SALAD WITH HOMEMADE TAPENADE CROUTONS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• 2. Make the croutons: In a medium bowl, combine the oil, cheese, garlic, oregano, and thyme. Add the bread and toss, coating all the croutons.
• 3. Arrange the croutons in a single layer on a baking tray and bake until golden, turning to brown all sides. Cool and store in a cool, dry place.
• 4. Make the salad: Trim the lettuce and toss with some of the Caesar Vinaigrette . Arrange on salad plates and sprinkle with a little Parmesan cheese, if desired.
• 5. Spread one side of your croutons with a thin layer of the Black and Green Olive Tapenade . Arrange atop the salads and serve immediately.

KALE CAESAR SALAD WITH RYE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Submerge kale in a large bowl of ice water for 10 minutes. Then thoroughly dry in a salad spinner or colander, and place in a single layer on a paper towel-lined dish cloth. Roll up cloth; refrigerate until kale is crisp and completely dry (any water clinging to leaves may cause the dressing to break), at least 2 hours and up to 2 days. Tear the leaves into 2-inch pieces.
• Place garlic in a large wooden bowl, add 1/4 teaspoon salt, and mash to a paste with a fork. Transfer half of paste to a rimmed baking sheet; set bowl aside. With the fork, stir butter and 2 tablespoons oil into garlic paste on sheet. Toss with bread cubes to evenly coat. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese, season with salt and pepper, and toss again to evenly coat. Spread into a single layer. Bake, stirring halfway through, until crisp and golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool to room temperature on sheet.
• Add anchovies to bowl with garlic paste and mash to a paste with a fork. Whisk in lemon juice, Worcestershire, Dijon, and egg yolk. Season with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Slowly add remaining 1/3 cup oil in a thin stream, whisking constantly. Add kale and toss to evenly coat, then toss with remaining 3/4 cup cheese and croutons. Serve immediately.

LOBSTER CAESAR SALAD WITH GARLIC-LEMON CROUTONS

Steps:

• For dressing:
• Puree all ingredients in blender. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill.)
• For salad:
• Cook lobsters in large pot of boiling salted water until just cooked through, about 12 minutes. Using tongs, transfer lobsters to large bowl; cool. Working over bowl, remove meat from tails and claws; reserve 1/4 cup lobster juices from bowl. Cut tail meat in half lengthwise. Whisk reserved juices into dressing; season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange half of 1 romaine heart on each of 4 plates. Toss celery root with enough dressing to coat; mound on lettuce. Top with lobster meat; drizzle with dressing. Garnish each salad with grated Parmesan cheese and 3 croutons.

KALE CAESAR SALAD WITH TOFU CROUTONS & KALAMATA CAESAR DRESSING

Steps:

• Make the tofu croutons. Remove the block of tofu from its packaging and drain the water. Press the tofu by laying a half dozen or so paper towels on a dinner plate and placing the tofu on top. Add a couple more paper towels and top with 4 or 5 more dinner plates. Let sit for 20-30 minutes, checking occasionally to move the plates if they're off balance. Or, much easier, use a tofu press!
• Set the tofu on a cutting board and cut it into crouton-size pieces, about 3/4-inch big.
• Heat the grapeseed oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. On a large plate or in a shallow baking dish, combine the corn starch, garlic powder, and salt with a fork. Working in batches, dredge the tofu in the corn starch mixture, turning to coat evenly. Carefully add tofu to hot oil in skillet. Cook on medium-high for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally to brown most sides. Remove tofu from pan and place on several paper towels, blotting to remove excess oil.
• Make the dressing. To a food processor or high-power blender, add the olives, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, vinegar, Worchestershire sauce, and pepper. Pulse until smooth, about 30 seconds. Drizzle in the olive oil and blend until smooth and creamy, about 15-20 seconds more.
• Prepare the salad. Add the kale to a large bowl and drizzle the dressing over the top. Toss well to coat all of the leaves. Top with the tofu croutons and a few shavings of Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve with additional lemon wedges to squeeze over the top.

CAESAR SALAD WITH SESAME CROUTONS

Steps:

• Roasted Garlic Purée: Preheat oven to 300 F. Slice off the top of the bulb, just enough to expose the cloves. Place garlic in a small baking dish, cut side down. Add enough vegetable oil to cover the garlic halfway. Roast in the oven until cloves are golden and soft, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and set aside until cool, 20 minutes. Fit a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and press the cloves through the mesh with your hands, a bench scraper, or spoon; this is to catch any tough fiber or skin. Set aside. Makes about ¼ cup. (Note: You can roast several heads of garlic at a time and store the purée in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.)
• Lettuce: Remove and discard tough outer leaves of the lettuce. Cut away and discard the root base, then separate leaves, cutting the larger ones in half vertically and keeping smaller ones whole. Fill the bowl of a salad spinner halfway with ice water and insert the basket. Add lettuce to the basket and submerge completely. Soak for 10 minutes to crisp up the leaves.
• Sesame Croutons: In a medium skillet over medium heat, add butter and oil. Smash garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife, and add to butter and oil. Cook until bubbly, stirring occasionally, 2-3 minutes. Add breadcrumbs and toss or stir to combine. Season with freshly ground black pepper, about 8 grinds, and a pinch of salt. Continue toasting the crumbs until golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels to cool.
• (Note: The video shows a double serving of dressing. Use the amounts in the written recipe.)Dressing: In a blender, add mayonnaise, anchovy, fish sauce, and the Roasted Garlic Purée. (Save the remaining purée for another use.) Use a Microplane to grate the garlic clove into the blender; then add Parmigiano-Reggiano, lemon juice, water, and sugar. Season with freshly cracked black pepper (about 10 grinds) and a pinch of salt. Purée just until combined. With the motor on, drizzle in olive oil, then vegetable oil. Turn motor off, taste for seasoning, and add more salt and sugar as needed. (Makes about 1¼ cups. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.)
• Assembly: Remove ice water from salad spinner and spin the lettuce leaves twice, draining water each time, until dry. Lay out on a sheet tray lined with paper towels to further drain. Remove garlic cloves from Sesame Croutons and discard. Place half of the lettuce into a bowl. Drizzle several spoonfuls of dressing, add 1 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano, and toss to combine. Repeat with remaining lettuce. Place on a serving dish, garnish with plenty of Sesame Croutons, and serve.

GREEN GARLIC CAESAR SALAD WITH ANCHOVY CROUTONS

Steps:

• Make croutons: Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half the anchovies and cook, stirring, until they melt into oil, about 2 minutes. Stir in half the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about one minute. Add bread cubes, salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toast, tossing frequently, until croutons are golden and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Make dressing: In medium bowl, whisk together remaining garlic and anchovies, plus lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire and remaining pepper. Slowly whisk in remaining olive oil.
• Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Lower eggs into pan. For nearly raw eggs cook for 90 seconds; for soft boiled, cook for 4 minutes. Rinse eggs under cold water until cool enough to handle.
• Combine lettuce, cheese and croutons in a large bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss well. Crack eggs into salad, scooping out any whites clinging to shell and toss once more. Add salt to taste.

CAESAR SALAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Combine garlic and oil in a small saucepan.
• Simmer until cloves are a light gold color, about 15 minutes.
• Pour oil through a fine sieve, squeeze all juice from cloves, and then discard the solids.
• Set garlic oil aside.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Lightly oil a baking sheet.
• Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on baking sheet.
• Bake, turning bread cubes periodically, until lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
• In a large, non-stick skillet, melt 1/3 cup ghee with 1/3 cup garlic oil over medium heat.
• Cook toasted bread cubes in batches until light to medium golden brown, turning frequently.
• Add more ghee and garlic oil as needed.
• Turn out into basket lined with paper towels, and drain for about 20 minutes.
• Note: For other uses- garden salad, soup, etcetera- you can add dried herbs of your choice, but if you do, don't use them with a Caesar salad -- too many flavour contrasts.

SAN FRAN-CAESAR WITH SOUR DOUGH CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Heat garlic and oil over low heat and melt butter into the oil. Place the bread in a large bowl and toss with garlic oil and butter. Season with pepper, Parmesan and thyme. Spread croutons evenly on a baking sheet and bake until crisp and golden, 15 minutes.
• In the bowl you made the croutons in, combine garlic, lemon juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Whisk in extra-virgin olive oil while mixing the dressing.
• Remove croutons and let cool. When you are ready to serve, add lettuce to the dressing in the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Add cheese, salt and pepper, croutons. Toss again. Adjust seasonings and serve, with or without anchovies.

CAESAR CROUTONS

Steps:

• Add lemon zest, garlic powder, pepper,oreagno, parmesan cheese, parsley season salt, olive oil, fresh lemon juice mix with stick blender or whisk together well.
• In large bowl mix bread cubes with caeser dressing and mix well.
• Bake on two large cookie sheets 350 for about 15-20 minutes or until toasted. Stirring every 5 minutes. Ovens may vary a bit so watch closely.
• Cool compelety and store in air tight container.
• I buy day old bread and put in freezer then when Im ready to make crutons I take the bread out for about an hour then cube it, makes it a little easier, but make sure they are to room temp and soft before adding the ceasar mix.
• Save the crusts and toast in oven and make bread crumbs.
• When Im making caesar salad I use this recipe and add 2-3 anchovy fillets. A nice change from creamy dressings.

RED LEAF CAESAR SALAD WITH GRILLED PARMESAN CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the croutons, prepare grill (medium-high heat). Rub with garlic clove and brush with olive oil:
• 6 3/4-inch-thick slices country bread
• Grill bread 1 minute, turn over, then sprinkle with:
• 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Cover and grill until cheese melts, about 1 minute longer.
• In large bowl, toss:
• 12 ounces red leaf lettuce
• Dressing
• Salt and pepper
• Divide salad and croutons among plates. Before serving, top salad with:
• 1 1/2 ounces shaved Parmesan cheese

CAESAR SALAD WITH HOMEMADE CROUTONS AND BALSAMIC DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk 1/4 cup oil, 2 garlic cloves, and coarse salt in large bowl to blend. Add bread cubes and toss to coat. Transfer croutons to baking sheet. Bake croutons until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Cool completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)
• Combine cheese, mayonnaise, anchovies, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, remaining 1/4 cup oil, and 1 garlic clove in blender; puree until smooth. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• Place lettuce and croutons in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Serve with any remaining dressing.

CAESAR SALAD WITH ONION BAGEL CROUTONS

Steps:

• For Croutons:.
• Preheat oven to 325.
• Combine melted butter with olive oil and minced garlic in a large bowl.
• Slice bagels into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Place in bowl with butter mixture and toss to coat.
• Spread coated bagel pieces on cookie sheet.
• Bake until crisp and browned, about 30 minutes.
• Cool.
• For salad and dressing:.
• Whisk first 8 ingredients in a bowl.
• Combine lettuce, parmesan and croutons in a large bowl.
• Add dressing, toss well and serve.