Best Cucumber Crouton Salad Recipes

FRESH TOMATO AND CUCUMBER SALAD WITH BUTTERY GARLIC CROUTONS

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons Country Crock® Spread in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bread cubes and cook, tossing frequently, until light golden, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with garlic and cook over low heat, tossing, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove and set aside.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons Spread in same skillet over medium-high heat and cook onions, stirring occasionally, until light golden and crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• Put toasted bread cubes, onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers in large bowl; toss. Drizzle with vinegar and sprinkle with basil and toss.

CRISPY CROUTON SALAD

Steps:

• Place bread cubes in a single layer in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 450° for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown, stirring twice. Cool., In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, yellow pepper and basil. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with croutons.

CROUTON SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the bread on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until toasted. Set aside to cool.
• In a medium salad bowl, mix together the cooled croutons, arugula, and pine nuts. Add the Citrus-Herb Sauce. Toss well until all ingredients are coated. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately.
• *Cook's Note: You can also use olive bread or any plain rustic loaf in place of the rosemary bread.

SPICY SMASHED CUCUMBERS WITH LIME, HONEY AND CROUTONS

Steps:

• Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
• On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
• Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
• Make the dressing: In a bowl, mix yogurt, lime zest and juice, vinegar, oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. This mixture should taste fiercely acidic and quite salty; add salt and vinegar as needed. Keep refrigerated.
• If making the spicy honey, combine hot sauce and honey in a small bowl and stir well until smooth.
• If making the croutons, toast the breadstick pieces in a toaster oven or skillet. Drizzle with olive oil and stir occasionally, until golden and crunchy.
• When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a bowl. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and toss. Add scallions and half of the dressing and toss gently. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned.
• Serve immediately. For each serving, scoop a large spoonful of cucumbers into a bowl, drizzle with spicy honey and sprinkle with a handful of croutons.