ITALIAN CAESAR SALAD WITH POLENTA CROUTONS
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 1h35m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
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.
ITALIAN SALAD CROUTONS
"These crisp buttery croutons are so good," comments Ellen Benninger of Greenville, Pennsylvania. "I don't know where I got the recipe, but I've been using it for more than 10 years." Toss the croutons in a salad, garnish a bowl of soup with them or sprinkle them on top of a creamy casserole.
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 25m
Yield about 2 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the butter, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Add bread cubes and toss to coat. Arrange in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. , Bake at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 46 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 73mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
ITALIAN STEAK SALAD WITH PARMESAN CROUTONS
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425˚. Combine the whole grape tomatoes, red onion chunks, basil and vinegar in a blender. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and blend until almost smooth. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and puree until smooth. Remove 2 tablespoons of the dressing to a small bowl.
- Place each steak half between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound on both sides with the flat side of a meat mallet until 3/4 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper and brush with the reserved 2 tablespoons dressing. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the steak and sear until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Transfer to a cutting board to rest.
- Meanwhile, toss the bread chunks with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil on a baking sheet. Bake, tossing once, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately toss with the grated parmesan; season with salt and pepper.
- Combine the endive, radicchio, romaine, halved grape tomatoes, sliced red onion and croutons in a large bowl; drizzle with the dressing and toss. Divide among plates and top with shaved parmesan. Thinly slice the steak and add to the salads.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 510, Fat 32 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Cholesterol 92 milligrams, Sodium 668 milligrams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 35 grams, Sugar 4 grams
ITALIAN CAESAR SALAD WITH POLENTA CROUTONS
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentis from Everyday Italian Show and the Episode: Italian Salads. We used this recipe for a Dr's meeting here and it was liked by all! I had printed copies of the recipe ready for those who wanted them. We used walnuts instead of the pignoli's (personal preference). There is a 2 hour cooling time or if wanted you can prepare the croutons and salad dressing the day before. Then it assembles easily and quickly! We used the polenta croutons in a salad of mixed greens and they were awesome! The Cubans make their polenta or harina de maiz with garlic and the chef snuck some in when preparing the croutons, turned out great!
Provided by Manami
Categories Cheese
Time 35m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- MAKE THE POLENTA: (Make First).
- 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.
- 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 CROUTONS:
- 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.)
- MAKE THE SALAD:.
- Prepare the barbecue for high heat or grill pan.
- 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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 917.3, Fat 55.6, SaturatedFat 11.2, Cholesterol 28, Sodium 1044.6, Carbohydrate 94, Fiber 18.2, Sugar 7.4, Protein 21.9
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