Best Cheese Croutons Recipes

EASY TOMATO SOUP AND GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven such as Le Creuset, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in the chicken stock, tomatoes, saffron, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, fill a medium pot with water, add 2 teaspoons salt and bring to a boil. Add the orzo and cook for 7 minutes. (It will finish cooking in the soup.) Drain the orzo and add it to the soup. Stir in the cream, return the soup to a simmer and cook for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently.
• Serve hot with Grilled Cheese Croutons scattered on top.
• Heat a panini grill. Place the four slices of bread on a cutting board and brush lightly with the melted butter, being sure to butter the corners. Turn the slices over and pile Gruyere on two of the slices. Place the remaining two slices of bread on top of the Gruyere, buttered sides up.
• Grill the sandwiches on the panini grill for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Place on a cutting board, allow to rest for 1 minute and cut into 1-inch cubes.

CARAMELIZED ONION AND PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM SOUP WITH GOAT CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy large pot over high heat. Add onions and thyme; sauté until onions begin to soften, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low; cook until onions are caramelized, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Transfer onion mixture to medium bowl.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in same pot over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; sauté until soft, about 12 minutes. Add Cognac and garlic; stir 20 seconds. Stir in onion mixture, then broth and wine. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer until onions are very tender, about 45 minutes. Discard thyme sprigs. Season soup with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly; cover and chill. Bring to simmer before serving.)
• Preheat broiler. Place baguette slices on large baking sheet. Spread goat cheese on baguette slices, dividing equally. Broil goat cheese croutons until cheese begins to brown in spots, about 30 seconds. Divide soup among 6 bowls. Top with croutons and serve.

TOMATO SOUP WITH GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Make the soup: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the olive oil and butter together over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and golden, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until aromatic, about 1 minute.
• Add the salt, pepper, thyme, red pepper flakes, sugar, tomatoes and their juices, vegetable stock, and basil. Bring to a boil, using a wooden spoon to break up the tomatoes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Remove the basil sprig, then use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, ladle the soup into a standing blender, working in batches, and blend until smooth.
• Add the heavy cream to the soup, cover, and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, until warmed through.
• Make the croutons: On a cutting board, butter both sides of each slice of bread. Lay the cheese on 2 of the bread slices. Top with the other slices of bread, creating a sandwich.
• Heat a large pan over medium-low heat. Once the pan is warm, add the sandwiches and cook until golden brown on the underside, 2-3 minutes. Flip the sandwiches over and continue cooking until the other side golden brown and cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer the grilled cheese sandwiches to a cutting board and cut into 1-inch croutons.
• Serve the tomato soup topped with the grilled cheese croutons.
• Enjoy!

BEER CHEESE SOUP IN A BREAD BOWL WITH KIELBASA "CROUTONS"

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kielbasa and cook until browned and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, mustard powder and cayenne. Cook the vegetables until tender and translucent, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the bread bowls. Using a sharp knife, slice the top off of each boule to use as a topper. Hollow out the middle with a fork or your fingers, leaving a thick bread shell. Save the removed bread for another use.
• Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Add the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire. Pour in the stock and beer and simmer until the alcohol cooks out, about 5 minutes.
• Puree the soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Add the Cheddar and Gruyere and stir until the cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into the bread bowls and serve immediately, topped with the kielbasa croutons and chives. Use the bread toppers for dipping, if desired.

TOMATO SOUP WITH ROASTED PEPPERS, GARLIC AND ONIONS WITH GRUYERE GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• For the soup:
• Place the onions on a baking sheet and dress lightly with EVOO, and season liberally with the thyme and salt and pepper. Dress the garlic with EVOO, salt and pepper, and then wrap the garlic in foil and fold edges over to secure a pouch. Roast the onions until tender and golden, 30 minutes, turning once. Roast the garlic until very soft, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Char the peppers over an open flame on the stovetop or under a hot broiler (once the onions and garlic are removed). Place the charred peppers in a bowl, cover and cool to handle. Wipe away the pepper skins with a towel. Seed and coarsely chop.
• Cool the garlic to handle, and then squeeze the garlic cloves away from the skins and into a food processor bowl. In two batches, add the onions, garlic, peppers, stock and tomatoes. Puree until fairly smooth. Add the puree to a pot with the passata and season with the herbes de Provence and add the torn basil. Heat the soup through and simmer to thicken a little and combine flavors, about 20 minutes. Adjust the salt and pepper. Cool and refrigerate for a make-ahead meal.
• For the grilled cheese croutons:
• To serve, heat the soup over medium heat and preheat a griddle pan over medium heat. Butter all the bread on one side with the softened butter. Make the cheese sandwiches with the buttered sides facing out. Grill the sandwiches until golden and crisp on each side. Dice into bite-size squares. Serve the soup in shallow bowls and top each with a few grilled cheese croutons.

TOMATO SWEET POTATO BISQUE WITH PESTO GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Place the sweet potato on a baking sheet and bake until soft, 35 to 40 minutes. Allow to cool, then peel it.
• Meanwhile, heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat until just hot. Add the carrots, celery, onion and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions just turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme and bay leaf and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are nice and brown, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes with their juices and cayenne, then stir in the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer until the carrots are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove and discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Add the roasted sweet potato.
• Using a blender, puree the soup until silky smooth. Return the soup to the skillet and heat on low. Stir in the cream. For a thinner soup, stir in more broth. Season to taste and serve hot with the micro basil and Croutons.
• To the bowl of a food processor, add the basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, lemon zest and salt. Pulse until the mixture forms a chunky paste, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl occasionally. With the machine running, add the olive oil in a steady stream. Keep processing until the desired consistency is reached, pulsing less for a more coarse pesto and more for a smooth one. Season to taste.
• To make the sandwiches: Spread some pesto on 1 side of 2 slices of bread. Arrange a slice of Cheddar over the pesto on 1 slice of bread. Sandwich with the other slice of the bread, pesto-side down. Repeat with remaining pesto, bread and Cheddar.
• Mix the butter and mayo together in a small bowl. Spread a generous layer on both sides of each sandwich.
• Place the sandwich in a nonstick skillet and turn the heat to medium-low. Cook, turning occasionally, until the bread is nice and toasty and golden brown, the cheese is melty and the sandwich is heated through. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches. Cut into croutons.

CHEESE GARLIC CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Put bread cubes in a large bowl; drizzle with melted butter. Toss to evenly coat. Spread onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until croutons are crisp, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Mix Parmesan, salt, paprika, and garlic powder into a bowl; sprinkle over croutons. Toss to coat.

GOAT CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Brush the sliced baguette with olive oil, toast in a 350 degree oven until crisp and golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for several minutes before spreading a thin layer of cheese on each crouton and dust the cheese with black pepper. Place the croutons under a broiler to brown the cheese slightly before serving.;

EASY TOMATO SOUP & GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven such as Le Creuset, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in the chicken stock, tomatoes, saffron, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, fill a medium pot with water, add 2 teaspoons salt, and bring to a boil. Add the orzo and cook for 7 minutes. (It will finish cooking in the soup.) Drain the orzo and add it to the soup. Stir in the cream, return the soup to a simmer, and cook for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently.
• Serve hot with Grilled Cheese Croutons scattered on top.
• Heat a panini grill. Place the four slices of bread on a cutting board and brush lightly with the melted butter, being sure to butter the corners. Turn the slices over and pile Gruyere on two of the slices. Place the remaining two slices of bread on top of the Gruyere, buttered sides up.
• Grill the sandwiches on the panini grill for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Place on a cutting board, allow to rest for 1 minute, and cut into 1-inch cubes. Yield: 4 to 6 servings
• Note: The Grilled Cheese Crouton recipe was halved for the taping of this episode.

EASY GAZPACHO & GOAT CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Cut the tomatoes, scallions, cucumber, and onion in large pieces and place them in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the garlic and pulse until the soup is coarsely pureed. Place it in a large bowl and whisk in the vinegar, olive oil, celery salt, red pepper flakes, tomato paste, tomato juice, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours or overnight.
• When ready to serve, preheat the broiler and place the top rack 5 to 7 inches from the heat. Cut 6 (1/2-inch-thick) diagonal slices from the baguette. Place on a sheet pan, brush with olive oil, and broil for 1 to 2 minutes on one side. Turn the slices, spread with the goat cheese, and broil for another minute, until the cheese is warm and the bread is toasted. Serve big bowls of cold soup with a warm goat cheese crouton and a drizzle of olive oil.

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.

BUTTERNUT-CORN CHOWDER WITH GOAT CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Cut each cheese round into 8 wedges. Place eggs in small bowl. Place cornmeal in another bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Working in batches, dip cheese into eggs, then into cornmeal, turning to coat. Press cornmeal gently to adhere. Place on baking sheet. Freeze 1 hour.
• Cook pancetta in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towels. Add onion to drippings in pan; sauté until just tender, about 4 minutes. Add butternut squash, broth and chilies; simmer until squash is tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Mix in corn; simmer until tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer 3 1/2 cups soup to blender; puree. Mix puree into remaining soup in pan. Season with salt and pepper. (Pancetta and soup can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover pancetta; chill. Chill soup uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Bring pancetta to room temperature before continuing.) Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add frozen cheese; brown well, about 1 minute per side.
• Meanwhile, bring soup to simmer. Mix in sage. Ladle soup into bowls. Top with pancetta and cheese croutons.

BROCCOLI AND CHEESE SOUP WITH CROUTONS

Steps:

• In a medium pot, melt the 3 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and cook, stirring, until soft, 3 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme cook, stirring, until fragrant, for 20 seconds. Add the flour and cook, stirring until the mixture is well blended and smells fragrant, 2 minutes. Slowly add the chicken stock, whisking constantly, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook, stirring, until tender, for 10 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat and puree with a hand-held immersion blender. (Alternatively, in batches, puree in a blender or food processor and return to the pot.)
• Add the cream and bring to bare simmer to heat through. Add the cheese and cook over low heat, stirring, until melted. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons cold butter, stirring to blend.
• Remove from the heat and ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle croutons over the top of the soup and serve immediately.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the bread in a medium bowl and toss with oil and Essence. Spread evenly on a small baking sheet and bake, stirring twice, until light golden brown on top, about 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool slightly before serving.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

YELLOW TOMATO GAZPACHO WITH GOAT CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Turn on food processor. Drop in garlic and process to chop fine. Add tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, scallions, oil, cumin, mayonnaise, lemon juice and vinegar. Cut 6 thin slices from baguette and set aside. Remove crusts from the rest. Crumble the insides and add to food processor. Add 1 cup cold water. Pulse to chop very fine.
• Transfer to a blender and purée. You will probably have to do this in two or three shifts. Place purée in a metal bowl. Cover and refrigerate until very cold. Season with salt.
• Toast one side of reserved bread slices under a broiler. Turn slices over and top each with a slice of goat cheese. Place under broiler until cheese is very lightly browned. To serve, place soup in bowls, top each with a goat cheese crouton and a scattering of corn.

CARAMELIZED ONION SOUP WITH BLUE CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• In pot, melt butter over medium heat; add onions, thyme and 1/4 teaspoons each salt and pepper and sauté for 2 minutes or until starting to soften. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook, stirring often, for about 20 minutes or until onions are very soft. Uncover and cook, stirring often, for 15 to 20 minutes or until caramelized. Increase heat to medium-high; add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add sherry and bring to a boil, scraping up bits stuck to pot. Add beef stock and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and boil gently for about 10 minutes or until flavours are blended.
• CROUTONS:.
• Preheat broiler. On a baking sheet, lightly toast both sides of baguette slices. Spread one side with softened blue cheese.
• To serve, stir cream into hot soup and season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into ovenproof soup bowls . Float one crouton in each bowl and broil for about 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

EMERIL'S BROCCOLI AND CHEESE SOUP WITH CROUTONS

Steps:

• In a medium pot, melt the 3 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and cook, stirring, until soft, 3 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme cook, stirring, until fragrant, for 20 seconds. Add the flour and cook, stirring until the mixture is well blended and smells fragrant, 2 minutes. Slowly add the chicken stock, whisking constantly, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook, stirring, until tender, for 10 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat and puree with a hand-held immersion blender. (Alternatively, in batches, puree in a blender or food processor and return to the pot.)
• Add the cream and bring to bare simmer to heat through. Add the cheese and cook over low heat, stirring, until melted. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, stirring to blend.
• Remove from the heat and ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle croutons over the top of the soup and serve immediately.
• Croutons:
• 1 cup 1/2 to 3/4-inch cubed French bread
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Essence or Creole seasoning, recipe follows
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the bread in a medium bowl and toss with oil and Essence. Spread evenly on a small baking sheet and bake, stirring twice, until light golden brown on top, about 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool slightly before serving.
• Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):
• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

CREAMY TOMATO CHEESE SOUP WITH CROUTONS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, mix stewed tomatoes, tomato soup, water, sugar, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes.
• Stir in milk just before serving.
• Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with cheese. Top with croutons.
• Enjoy!

TOMATO SOUP WITH GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, salt, pepper and onion and cook until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the broth, diced tomatoes with their liquid, tomato sauce, Parmesan rind and 1/4 cup of the basil and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes. Remove the Parmesan rind and puree the soup with an immersion blender until smooth.
• In a small saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter. Whisk in the flour and continue to cook, whisking, until the mixture is lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cream and cook, stirring, until thickened. Add the cream mixture to the soup and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the soup has thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium heat until foamy. Place 2 of the bread slices in the skillet; top each bread slice with 2 cheese slices, 2 tablespoons of the chopped basil and another bread slice. Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes per side. Cut each sandwich into 9 pieces.
• Serve the soup with the grilled cheese croutons and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup basil.

YELLOW TOMATO SOUP WITH GOAT CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Place tomatoes, cut side down, in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan; brush with 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons garlic and the salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme. , Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes or until tomatoes are tender and skins are charred. Cool slightly. Discard tomato skins. In a blender, process tomatoes until blended., In a large saucepan, saute onion in remaining oil until tender. Add remaining garlic; saute 1 minute longer. Add broth and milk; bring to a boil. Carefully stir in tomato puree. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Stir in cream; heat through (do not boil). , Meanwhile, for croutons, place bread on a baking sheet and brush with oil. Bake for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown. Spread with pesto and sprinkle with goat cheese and pepper. Bake 2 minutes longer. Ladle soup into bowls and top with croutons.

GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.
• In a small bowl, combine butter and thyme. Spread over one side of each bread slice with the butter mixture.
• Place 3 slices in the pan, buttered side down. Top with the cheese, then with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
• Cook, turning once, until toasted on both sides, 3-5 minutes per side.
• Remove the sandwiches from the pan. Let them cool slightly, then cut them into 1" squares. Use in soups(tomato is especially nice), on top of salads, etc. Enjoy!
• Makes about 60 croutons.