Best Salad Croutons Recipes

CREOLE CAESAR SALAD WITH CORN BREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the salad:
• Place half the fried okra in a large bowl and add the romaine, corn, corn bread, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Add the dressing and toss until well coated.
• Divide the salad among six serving plates and top evenly with the remaining okra. Serve immediately.
• For the Creole Caesar dressing:
• In a small saucepan, combine the oil, garlic, and onion. Cook over low heat until the garlic and onion are golden and tender, about 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic and onion to a food processor; reserve the oil.
• Add the vinegar, bell pepper, celery, sugar, cayenne, mayonnaise, Parmesan, and a pinch each of salt and black pepper to the food processor. Pulse until smooth. With the machine running, add the oil in a thin stream and process until emulsified. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD WITH HOMEMADE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place bread on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Whisk together oil, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper in a liquid measure. Pour mixture over the bread and toss with your hands until evenly coated. Spread bread mixture into a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and toasted, yet slightly soft in the center, 15 to 18 minutes, tossing croutons a few times during baking. Remove from the oven and let cool completely while you prepare the salad.
• Place garlic, anchovies, and salt in a large salad serving bowl; press the mixture with a fork until a paste forms. Stir in egg yolk, lemon juice, Dijon, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined. Slowly whisk in olive oil until all is incorporated and mixture is well blended and smooth. Stir in 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove about 1/4 cup of dressing and set aside for another use.
• When ready to serve, add lettuce and 1/2 of the croutons to the bowl with the remaining dressing; toss until well coated. Reserve remaining croutons for another use.
• Sprinkle salad with additional Parmesan and pepper if desired. Serve immediately.

CAESAR SALAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Combine garlic and oil in a small saucepan. Simmer until cloves are a light gold color, about 15 minutes. Pour oil through a fine sieve, squeeze all juice from cloves, and then discard the solids. Set garlic oil aside.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly oil a baking sheet.
• Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake, turning bread cubes periodically, until lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
• In a large, non-stick skillet, melt 1/3 cup ghee with 1/3 cup garlic oil over medium heat. Cook toasted bread cubes in batches until light to medium golden brown, turning frequently. Add more ghee and garlic oil as needed. Turn out into basket lined with paper towels, and drain for about 20 minutes.

CAESAR SALAD WITH CRUNCHY CROUTONS

Steps:

• Make the croutons:
• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Hand-tear the bread into small pieces and put them into a bowl. Add the olive oil, Parmesan, and thyme leaves; season with salt and pepper. Mix this well to combine all the flavors. Spread the cubes out onto a baking sheet and bake until they are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let them cool before tossing them onto the salad.
• Make the dressing: Put the anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, and water into a blender and process for 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth. With the blender running, pour the olive oil in slowly for the dressing to emulsify. Stir in the Parmesan and a couple of grinds of black pepper. Season, to taste, with salt and set aside. (Refrigerate the dressing if you will not be using it right away.)
• Assemble the salad: Tear the lettuce into a large bowl. Add enough dressing to coat the salad to your liking. Add the croutons and some extra Parmesan and toss the salad well. Serve immediately.

WARM SALAD OF FRISEE AND BABY SPINACH ,MUSHROOMS, BACON, SWEET SHALLOTS AND CHEWY CROUTONS; SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Wash the frisee well, trim the root end but leave it attached, and cut the heads in half.
• Remove the rind from the bacon. Cut bacon into thick lardons, slowly render the fat, drain and dry lardons on paper toweling.
• Peel the shallots, slice them into 1/4-inch rings, toss them in the mixture of hot balsamic vinegar and grenadine and reserve.
• Clean and trim the mushrooms. Toss them with olive oil, kosher salt, cracked pepper and fresh thyme then roast them and reserve.
• Cut the ficelle into 16 thick little slices
• To Assemble:
• Warm plates in a low oven.
• Have all components prepped in advance.
• In a separate pan or lightly oiled baking dish lay the seasoned bread for croutons in a single layer. Sprinkle lightly with oil and toast quickly in a 425 degree oven. Place in the warming oven. In a large pan sear seasoned halves of frisee in a scant amount of soy or canola oil. Transfer them to the warm oven. In the same pan add the bacon, shallots, roasted mushrooms and half of the vinaigrette. Heat thoroughly.
• Remove plates and frisee from the warming oven. Spoon hot mushroom mixture across frisee.
• In that same pan again lightly wilt spinach with a splash more vinaigrette and plate it in a separate little >pile next to the mushroom braise.
• Arrange croutons over the salad. Garnish with coarsely chopped herb confetti

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.

FAMILY FAVORITE SALAD WITH HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING AND CROUTONS

Steps:

• In a chilled salad bowl, add the greens and lightly coat the inside of the bowl with Ranch Dressing. Add the Croutons and toss lightly. Garnish with the tomatoes, avocado and bacon, serve immediately.
• In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients and blend well with fork or stick blender. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients, except the bread, until well combined. Adjust the seasoning, if needed. Add in the bread and mix well with your hands, tossing to coat all sides of cubes. Pour out onto a baking sheet and spread evenly. Bake in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, turning after 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. Store in an airtight container.

SPINACH SALAD WITH SMOKED SALMON, EVERYTHING BAGEL CROUTONS AND LEMON-CAPER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the croutons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the bagel pieces in a large bowl, drizzle with the olive oil, and toss to coat. Add the poppy seeds, sesame seeds and some salt; toss again. Spread the bagel pieces out in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until light golden brown and crispy, 8 to 10 minutes.
• For the vinaigrette: Put the lemon zest and juice, dill, capers, mustard, and some salt and pepper in a medium bowl; whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make a thick creamy dressing. Taste, and season with salt and pepper.
• For the salad: Put the croutons, smoked salmon and cream cheese in a large bowl, and then mound the spinach, fennel, cucumber and red onion on top. Spoon some of the vinaigrette around the side of the bowl and toss gently to coat the salad with dressing. Spoon the remaining vinaigrette nicely on individual serving plates and gently mound some salad on top. 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.

SPINACH SALAD WITH MEYER LEMON CAESAR DRESSING AND FLATBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Place lemon juice, garlic, mustard, mayonnaise, anchovies, red wine vinegar, salt, and a good amount of freshly ground black pepper in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil and blend until emulsified. Add the grated cheese and blend for a few seconds to incorporate.
• Place spinach in a large bowl, add dressing, and toss to coat each leaf. Add Flatbread Croutons and toss again. Top with shaved Parmesan and serve immediately.
• Flatten flatbread dough, gently press into a large rectangle, brush liberally with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and throw on grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown. Cut into strips about 2 to 3 inches long and 1/4-inch wide.;
• Mix water and yeast in a large bowl and let stand 5 minutes to proof. Gradually pour in 2 cups of the flour and stir to incorporate. Mix for about 1 minute to form a sponge. Let stand, covered, for at least 1 hour.
• Put sponge in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook, add the salt and oil, then add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a dough. Remove from bowl and knead. Place in a clean oiled bowl and let rise, slowly, about 2 1/2 hours. Divide dough into 4 balls, if desired, let rise again for 1/2 hour, and then roll out as desired.

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.

CAESAR SALAD WITH HERBED CROUTONS

Steps:

• Make dressing:
• Combine 1/2 cup Parmesan, anchovies, lemon juice, 3 garlic cloves, and mustard in processor; blend well. With processor running, slowly add olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Make croutons and salad:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, thyme and rosemary; saut until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add bread cubes to skillet with garlic-herb oil and toss to coat. Spread out bread cubes on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake just until croutons are golden, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Place romaine in large bowl. Add 2/3 cup dressing and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and toss to coat. Add croutons and toss well. Serve, passing remaining dressing, Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper separately.

SAUTEED PORK CHOPS WITH MUSTARD SAUCE WITH CAESER SALAD WITH PARMESAN CRISPS AND HOMINY CROUTONS

Steps:

• Hominy Croutons:
• Heat oil in a small saute pan. Cook onions and garlic until soft. Add wine and reduce by half. Place the water in a medium saucepan and add 2 tablespoons of salt, bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in the cornmeal and cook for, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and spread into a buttered 11 by 17 inch baking sheet. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet or a deep fry to 350 degrees F. Cut the polenta into 1/2-inch squares. Dredge lightly in cornmeal and fry in batches until golden brown.
• Parmesan Crisps:
• Heat a large saute pan over medium heat. Combine the cheese and flour in a medium bowl. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the cheese into the pan to form a 4-inch circle. Cook until the cheese is somewhat melted but not firm. Using a spatula, turn the cheese over and cook until firm. Drape the crisp over a large rolling pin until cool. Repeat.
• Salad:
• Put all ingredients except oil in a blender and blend until smooth. Slowly add the oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the romaine in a large bowl and toss with some of the dressing. Divide among 4 plates. Scatter croutons around and place a Parmesan crisp in the center of the salad.
• Pork:
• Season pork with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a large saute pan until almost smoking. Cook the pork for 3 to 4 minutes on 1 side or until golden brown, turn over, reduce heat to medium and continue cooking to medium doneness. Remove to a plate and keep warm. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. Add the garlic and onions and cook until soft. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half. Add the stock and cook to a sauce consistency. Whisk in the mustards and thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste.

RAW MUSTARD GREENS SALAD WITH GRUYèRE AND ANCHOVY CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine anchovies and garlic in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Place bread cubes in medium bowl. Drizzle 2 tablespoons anchovy oil over, tossing to coat. Sprinkle bread with salt, pepper, and half of cheese; toss to coat.
• Spray rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Scatter bread on sheet. Bake croutons until crisp and golden, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
• Measure 8 cups (loosely packed) mustard greens and place in large bowl (reserve any remaining greens for another use). Add croutons and remaining cheese to bowl. Whisk 5 teaspoons lemon juice into remaining anchovy oil; season dressing with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. Add dressing to salad; toss to coat.

GAZPACHO SALAD WITH CROUTONS

Steps:

• Place onion in a small bowl of ice water. Let stand 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
• Using a Microplane, finely grate garlic into a small bowl. Whisk in Dijon and vinegar. Slowly drizzle in oil in a steady stream, whisking until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange tomatoes, pepper, cucumber, and onion on a platter. Toast bread, then cut into 1/2-inch cubes and sprinkle over salad. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with vinaigrette; serve.

ITALIAN CAESAR SALAD WITH POLENTA CROUTONS

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.

ARUGULA, AVOCADO, PAPAYA AND JICAMA SALAD WITH POMEGRANATE DRESSING AND TORTILLA CHIP CROUTONS

Steps:

• Whisk together the pomegranate molasses, lime juice, honey and lime zest in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper; slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified.
• Combine the arugula, avocados, papaya, jicama and some salt and pepper in a large bowl and toss to combine. Add the tortilla chips, and then pour some of the dressing around the sides of the bowl. Toss to combine, taste and add more dressing the same way if desired.

GRILLED LEG OF LAMB-- SPINACH AND STILTON SALAD WITH GARLIC CROUTONS-- CHILLED MELON SOUP WITH PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Cut leg of lamb in loin sections then marinate with 1/2 cup olive oil, 3 gloves garlic, curry powder, dried herbs and rosemary. Marinate for 30 minutes or overnight if possible. Then grill the loins for 15 to 20 minutes turning just once. Carefully flambe with pastis.
• Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and toss with remainder of garlic and 3 tablespoons of olive oil then season with salt and pepper. Toast croutons for about 15 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven turning 2 to 3 times for even browning. Then toss croutons with spinach, Stilton, tomatoes, remaining olive oil and balsamic vinegar, season with salt and pepper.
• In a food processor, puree cantaloupe, apple juice, mango, orange and peach. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with basil and prosciutto.

WILD ARUGULA SALAD WITH GARLIC CROUTONS, SHAVED PARMESAN, AND LEMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Rub crust of bread with garlic clove. Tear bread into 1-inch pieces and place in large bowl; toss with 1/4 cup olive oil. Sprinkle bread lightly with salt; arrange in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden and crisp around edges, about 10 minutes. Cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Place arugula in large bowl. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons lemon juice, adding more lemon juice, if desired. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add 2/3 of croutons and half of Parmesan cheese and toss. Transfer to serving bowl; scatter remaining croutons and Parmesan cheese over and serve.

CAESAR SALAD WITH HOMEMADE TAPENADE CROUTONS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• 2. Make the croutons: In a medium bowl, combine the oil, cheese, garlic, oregano, and thyme. Add the bread and toss, coating all the croutons.
• 3. Arrange the croutons in a single layer on a baking tray and bake until golden, turning to brown all sides. Cool and store in a cool, dry place.
• 4. Make the salad: Trim the lettuce and toss with some of the Caesar Vinaigrette . Arrange on salad plates and sprinkle with a little Parmesan cheese, if desired.
• 5. Spread one side of your croutons with a thin layer of the Black and Green Olive Tapenade . Arrange atop the salads and serve immediately.