Best Cornbread Croutons Recipes

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.

GRILLED WATERMELON SALAD WITH LIME MANGO DRESSING AND CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the dressing:
• Put all of the ingredients except the oil in a blender. Blend on high. After the ingredients are blended, slowly add the oil and continue to blend until the mixture is thickened and emulsified. (Makes 1 cup.)
• For the salad:
• Heat a grill pan to medium-high heat. Drizzle the watermelon slices with just enough oil to thinly coat and place them on the hot grill.
• Grill each side of the watermelon slices for about 2 minutes, until charred. Transfer to a plate and season with salt.
• Remove the rind and dice the grilled watermelon into large cubes.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Toss the pumpkin seeds with the cayenne, sugar, and 2 teaspoons oil and place on a small baking sheet. Roast for 6 to 10 minutes, until golden.
• Brush the cornbread cubes with the melted butter and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Put in the oven along with the pumpkin seeds and bake for 10 minutes, turning halfway with a flexible spatula. Remove from the oven when the croutons are toasted and golden.
• Toss the watermelon, shiso, dates, and chile in the bowl with ¼ cup Lime Mango Dressing (reserve remaining dressing for another use). Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Add the cornbread croutons and toss very gently to combine without breaking the croutons. Spoon the salad onto a large platter and garnish with the pumpkin seeds and cheese.

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.

CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Grease or spray cookie sheet. In medium bowl, mix all ingredients except chili, stirring until just combined. Pour onto cookie sheet, spreading into thin layer.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until bottom is golden brown. Cool about 2 minutes, and cut into 1-inch squares in pan. Using spatula, separate squares.
• Bake about 5 minutes longer or until croutons are crusty and golden brown. Serve with chili.

CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450º. Place cornbread cubes in large bowl and drizzle melted butter over all. Stir lightly but thoroughly so that all cubes are buttered.
• Spread evenly on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 7-10 minutes, turning once, or until cubes are browned the way you like them.
• Serve warm or cooled on salads, chilis, and soups.

GRILLED "WATERMELON GARDEN" SALAD WITH LIME MANGO DRESSING AND CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the grill pan with oil or drizzle the watermelon slices with just enough oil to thinly coat. Season the watermelon slices with salt and place them on the hot grill.
• Grill each side of the watermelon slices until charred, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Remove the rind and dice the grilled watermelon into large cubes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Toss the pumpkin seeds with the cayenne, sugar and 2 teaspoons oil and place on one prepared baking sheet. Roast until golden, 6 to 10 minutes.
• Toss or brush the cornbread cubes with the melted butter and place in a single layer on the second prepared baking sheet. Put in the oven along with the pumpkin seeds and bake for 10 minutes, turning halfway with a flexible spatula. Remove from the oven when the croutons are toasted and golden.
• Toss the watermelon, shiso, dates and chile in the bowl with the dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Add the cornbread croutons and toss very gently to combine without breaking the croutons. Spoon the salad onto a large platter and garnish with the pumpkin seeds and cheese.
• Put the mango, lime juice, sake, vinegar, chile and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend on high. After the ingredients are blended, slowly add the oil and continue to blend until the mixture is thickened and emulsified.

FOUR BEAN CHILI WITH BLUE CHEESE-CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• For chili:.
• Place a large stockpot over medium high heat and heat the olive oil.
• Add the onions, red bell pepper, garlic, chile peppers, and jalapenoes.
• Cook, stirring, until the onions begin to turn translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, Great Northern beans, black beans, kidney beans and pinto beans.
• Stir together.
• Pour in the chicken stock and juice.
• Stir well.
• Add the red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste.
• Turn the heat to medium-low and cook until the chili is hot throughout, 30 to 45 minutes.
• For Blue Cheese-Cornbread Croutons: [Make while chili is cooking for 30-45 minutes on medium low].
• Preheat the oven to 425.
• Grease a baking pan or cast iron skillet.
• Prepare the cornbread mix according to package directions.
• Stir in the blue cheese.
• Take care not to overmix.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared backing pan or skillet.
• Bake in the oven until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes, dependeing on the package directions.
• Remove from the oven and cool on a rack.
• When cool, cut the cornbread into oversize cubes of about 1 and 1/2 to 2".
• Drizzle the cornbread cubes with olive oil and place on a baking sheet.
• Toast in the 425 oven until golden brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes.
• Season the croutons with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• When cool, store in a resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator until ready to use.

SOUTHERN CAESAR SALAD WITH HONEYED CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Combine first 5 ingredients, and mix well with a wire whisk. Cover and chill an hour or more.
• Cook ham in peanut oil in a skillet over medium high heat, stirring constantly, until browned. Drain on paper towels. Let Cool.
• Combine lettuce and pecans in a large bowl, add dressing, tossing gently. Put ham strips on top and sprinkle with Honeyed Cornbread Croutons.

BEET SALAD WITH CORNBREAD CROUTONS AND COUNTRY HAM

Steps:

• For beets:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix first 6 ingredients in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Add beets and toss to coat. Cover with foil and roast until beets are tender, about 45 minutes. Cool; peel.
• For croutons:
• Place 9- or 10-inch-diameter cast-iron skillet in oven; preheat to 400°F. Whisk first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Melt 4 tablespoons butter. Whisk melted butter, buttermilk, and egg in another medium bowl. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients; whisk batter to blend. Place 2 tablespoons butter in hot skillet; swirl to coat. Add batter. Bake until top is golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool in skillet. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; store at room temperature.
• For citrus vinaigrette:
• Add enough water to small saucepan to measure 11/2 inches; bring to boil. Add orange peel. Blanch 1 minute; drain. Repeat blanching procedure with lemon peel; reserve lemon peel for serving. Return orange peel to same pan and add orange juice, grapefruit juice, and sorghum syrup. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until reduced to generous 1/3 cup, about 20 minutes. Whisk lemon juice and mustard in medium bowl; whisk in oil. Whisk in orange-grapefruit reduction. Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• For salad:
• Preheat broiler. Line small baking sheet with foil. Place onion slices with rings intact on sheet. Brush with oil; sprinkle with coarse salt. Broil onions until browned, watching closely to prevent burning, about 10 minutes. Turn and broil until browned, about 5 minutes longer.
• Reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Cut cornbread into 1/2-inch cubes. Spray rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Spread cornbread in even layer on prepared sheet. Toast until golden brown around edges, turning occasionally, about 35 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange ham in single layer on prepared baking sheet. Top with another sheet of parchment paper, then another rimmed baking sheet to press ham. Roast until ham is crisp, 10 to 20 minutes, depending on thickness of ham. Remove top baking sheet and parchment paper. Cool. Break ham into bite-size pieces.
• Whisk 4 teaspoons minced parsley into vinaigrette. Mix in reserved lemon peel. Quarter beets. Toss with some of vinaigrette (if using assorted colors, toss in separate bowls). Sprinkle with fleur de sel and cracked black pepper. Separate onion rings. Divide rings among plates in single layer. Arrange beets in and around onion rings. Sprinkle goat cheese over. Scatter ham and croutons over. Sprinkle fleur de sel and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley over. Drizzle with some of remaining vinaigrette and aged balsamic vinegar.
• A syrup made from the cooked juice of sorghum cane; available at specialty foods stores and at muddypondsorghum.com.
• ** A type of sea salt; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Add 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil to a 6-inch cast-iron skillet. Put the skillet in the oven and allow to heat until very hot, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with a whisk. In a different bowl, combine the almond milk, applesauce, sorghum, egg and 2 tablespoons coconut oil. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet. Fold to combine.
• Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and pour in the batter. Return the skillet to the oven and bake until golden with a crisp crust, 25 minutes. Let cool before cutting the cornbread into 1-inch pieces (about 8 cups).
• Reduce the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a baking sheet with some coconut oil and spread the cornbread in a single layer. Be careful, the cornbread is fragile and you don¿t want to be rough with it. Drizzle lightly with the remaining 2 tablespoons coconut oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and crunchy, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet before using.