Best Pesto Croutons Recipes

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.

PEA & PESTO SOUP WITH FISH FINGER CROûTONS

Steps:

• Tip the peas and potatoes into a large saucepan, then pour in the stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 mins, until the potato chunks are tender. Meanwhile, grill the fish fingers as per pack instructions until cooked through and golden. Cut into bitesize cubes and keep warm.
• Take a third of the peas and potatoes out of the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. Blend the rest of the soup until smooth, then stir in the pesto with the reserved vegetables. Heat through and serve in warm bowls with the fish finger croûtons on top.

PESTO CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Place all ingredients in large bowl and toss until well coated.
• Arrange the bread cubes singly on a large baking sheet. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, turning once or twice, until light golden brown and crisp.
• Turn off oven and allow croutons to cool completely. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

PESTO CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400° F. Place the bread in a large bowl. Stir in the pesto, salt, and pepper and toss well to combine. Spread out on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden, about 10 minutes