Best Toasted Bread Crumbs Recipes

SPAGHETTI WITH BROCCOLI RABE, TOASTED GARLIC AND BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Put 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. When oil is warm, cook garlic just until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add bread crumbs and red pepper flakes and cook until bread crumbs are golden, 5 minutes or so. Remove and set aside.
• Cook broccoli rabe in boiling water until it is soft, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain well and chop. Cook pasta in same pot.
• Meanwhile, add remaining oil to skillet over medium-low heat. Add broccoli rabe and toss well; sprinkle with salt and pepper. When it is warm add garlic and bread crumbs and mix well.
• When pasta is done, drain it, reserving a little cooking water. Toss pasta in skillet with broccoli rabe mixture, moistening with a little reserved water if necessary. Adjust seasonings and serve with freshly grated Parmesan.

SHRIMP WITH GARLIC AND TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Lightly oil a large baking pan.
• 2. In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs, parsley, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Add 3 tablespoons oil, or enough to moisten the crumbs.
• 3. Arrange the shrimp in the pan in a single layer, curling each one into a circle. Spoon a little of the crumb mixture onto each shrimp. Drizzle with a little more oil.
• 4. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp, or until the shrimp turn pink and the crumbs are lightly browned. Serve with lemon wedges.

PASTA WITH GARLIC OIL AND TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position, place large oven-safe serving bowl on rack, and heat oven to 200 degrees. Prepare pasta according to directions on package, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water before draining.
• Heat butter in heavy-bottomed 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until foaming. Add bread crumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, toasted, and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer crumbs to small bowl and mix in cheese and 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic; set aside. Wipe out now-empty skillet with large wad of paper towels.
• Mix remaining minced garlic with 1 teaspoon water. Heat olive oil, garlic, and pepper flakes in cleaned skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add vermouth, reserved pasta cooking water, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; cook to blend flavors, about 1 minute longer. Toss pasta and sauce in warm serving bowl; sprinkle bread crumbs over and serve immediately.

CAULIFLOWER WITH TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• In a small non-stick skillet sauté bread crumbs in 1/2 tablespoon oil over moderately high heat, stirring, until fragrant and transfer to a small bowl.
• In skillet heat remaining tablespoon oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook onion, stirring, until golden. Add vinegar and cauliflower and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring, until cauliflower begins to turn golden. Add water and salt to taste and simmer, covered, 10 minutes, or until tender. Sprinkle cauliflower mixture with bread crumbs.

SPAGHETTI WITH ANCHOVIES, OLIVES, AND TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Fill a 6-quart pasta pot three fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil for pasta.
• Tear bread into pieces and in a blender or food processor pulse to make coarse crumbs. Finely chop onion. Mince garlic. Rinse anchovies and pat dry. In a sieve rinse and drain peppers and olives. Cut peppers into 1‚-inch-long strips and quarter olives.
• In a deep 12-inch heavy skillet heat 2 tablespoons oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and stir in bread crumbs. Toast bread crumbs, stirring constantly, until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes, and transfer to a plate to cool. Wipe skillet clean.
• In skillet heat remaining 4 tablespoons oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and cook onion, stirring, until golden brown on edges. Remove skillet from heat and add garlic and anchovies. Cook mixture over moderately low heat, stirring until fillets are dissolved, about 2 minutes. Carefully pour wine down side of skillet and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to about 2 tablespoons. Remove skillet from heat and stir in peppers, olives, and 1/4 cup parsley.
• Cook pasta in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until al dente and ladle out and reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain pasta in a colander and add to sauce with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and salt and pepper to taste. Heat mixture over low heat, gently tossing (and adding more pasta water as needed if mixture becomes dry), until just heated through. Sprinkle pasta with remaining 1/4 cup parsley and some bread crumbs and serve remaining bread crumbs on the side.

BROCCOLI/ HERBED HOLLANDAISE SAUCE/ TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450°F
• In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
• Skim off the foam from the surface of the butter.
• Remove from the heat.
• In a food processor, pulse the bread to coarse crumbs.
• Transfer the crumbs to a small cookie sheet, toss with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Bake for about 2 minutes, until golden brown.
• On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the broccoli with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange the broccoli in an even layer and roast for about 15 minutes, until just tender and starting to brown.
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring 1 inch of water to a simmer.
• In a stainless steel bowl, mix the egg yolks with the boiling water.
• Set the bowl over the saucepan and whisk the yolks constantly until thickened slightly and bright yellow, about 1 minute.
• Remove from the heat.
• Gently reheat the butter; very gradually, whisk it into the yolks until a slightly thick sauce forms.
• Whisk in the lemon juice and a dash of Tabasco and season the hollandaise sauce lightly with salt and pepper.
• Whisk in the mint and thyme.
• Transfer the broccoli to a platter; pour the hollandaise sauce on top.
• Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and serve.

SPAGHETTI WITH BROCCOLI RABE, TOASTED GARLIC AND BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Put 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. When oil is warm, cook garlic just until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add bread crumbs and red pepper flakes and cook until bread crumbs are golden, 5 minutes or so. Remove and set aside. 2. Cook broccoli rabe in boiling water until it is soft, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain well and chop. Cook pasta in same pot. 3. Meanwhile, add remaining oil to skillet over medium-low heat. Add broccoli rabe and toss well; sprinkle with salt and pepper. When it is warm add garlic and bread crumbs and mix well. 4. When pasta is done, drain it, reserving a little cooking water. Toss pasta in skillet with broccoli rabe mixture, moistening with a little reserved water if necessary. Adjust seasonings and serve with freshly grated Parmesan.

GARLIC-LEMON GREEN BEANS WITH TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• 1. Process bread in food processor to even, fine crumbs, about ten 1 second pulses. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in 12 inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; when melted, add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl and stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and Parmesan; set aside. 2. Wipe out skillet. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until garlic is golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in flour, red pepper flakes, and thyme, and then toss in green beans. Add chicken broth and increase heat to medium-high; cover and cook until beans are partly tender but still crisp at center, about 4 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and sauce has thickened slightly, about 4 minutes. Off heat, stir in lemon juice, and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving dish, sprinkle evenly with breadcrumbs, and serve.

FRESH CAVATELLI/CAULIFLOWER/ALMONDS & TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Fill the large pot with salted water (at least 6 quarts water with 1 tablespoon salt), and heat to a boil.
• Grate the bread chunk on the coarse holes of a box grater into a mixing bowl; you should have about 2 cups of fluffy crumbs.
• Pour 5 tablespoons of the olive oil into the skillet, set it over medium-high heat, and scatter in the sliced garlic and peperoncino & let them sizzle for a minute or so, then dump in the bread crumbs, and stir to moisten them with the oil.
• Toast the crumbs for about 5 minutes, tossing them and shaking the pan almost continuously, until they're golden and crisp; adjust the heat so neither the bread crumbs nor the garlic gets too dark.
• Turn off the heat, and pour the toasted crumbs and garlic into the serving bowl.
• Meanwhile, start cooking the cauliflower and cavatelli.
• With the cooking water at a rolling boil, drop in the cauliflower florets, and cook them for about 3 minutes, until barely tender.
• Drop in the cavatelli, stir, and return the water quickly to a boil.
• Cook another 4 to 5 minutes, until the cauliflower is fully tender and the pasta is al dente.
• Quickly drain them (you can empty the pot into a colander) and spill the pasta and florets on top of the bread crumbs in the bowl.
• Sprinkle the almonds, parsley, and salt,over the bowl and toss everything together well, until the crumbs and almonds are evenly distributed and coat the pasta and cauliflower florets.
• Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil all over, and toss again.
• Serve immediately, right from the bowl.

SAUTEED BROCCOLI WITH TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Heat butter and 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.
• When hot, add crumbs.
• Toast crumbs, stirring often, until golden.
• Scrape crumbs out of pan; set aside.
• Spread broccoli on a paper-towel-lined plate; pat with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
• Reheat skillet on medium heat, adding remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Add garlic; saute 30 seconds.
• Add broccoli; saute until heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle with toasted crumbs and serve.

ORECCHIETTE WITH TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring to a boil 6 qts of salted water. Cook pasta until al dente; about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile in med-sized saute pan heat oil until warm. Since the bread crumbs will cook quickly, you don't want to add them into a hot pan.
• Add the breadcrumbs & stir constantly you may want to season lightly with salt & pepper, since flavored bread crumbs already have seasoning.
• Saute for about 2 minutes; remove from heat and set aside.
• Drain pasta in colander. Working quickly; add pasta to saute pan & stir to combine.
• Add Parmesan & prosciutto & mix thoroughly.
• Pour into large serving bowl & garnish with chopped parsley.

BRAISED CAULIFLOWER WITH CAPERS & TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Toasting the bread crumbs: Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Spread the bread crumbs in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring once or twice with a pancake turner, until the crumbs are the color of pale toast and lightly crunchy, about 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Trimming the cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into florets, discarding the thick core. Cut into individual florets that are about 1 1/2 inches long and just about as wide. You want them small, but not trimmed so much that they are falling apart.
• Browning the cauliflower: Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet (12-inch) over medium-high heat. When hot, add the florets and saute, turning frequently, until they are speckled allover with nice bits of brown, about 8 minutes total. Add the capers, stir to dis- tribute, and cook for another minute.
• The braise: Pour in the stock or water, season with salt and pepper (go easy on the salt because of the capers), cover tightly, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently until the cauliflower is tender enough to be easily pierced with the tip of a knife, 15 to 20 minutes. If the liquid threatens to dry up at any point, add a splash of water.
• The finish: When the cauliflower is tender, remove the lid and boil away any remain- ing liquid, shaking the pan so the cauliflower doesn't stick. Add a squeeze of lemon, and taste for salt and pepper. Stir in the bread crumbs and serve immediately.
• Variation: Penne with Braised Cauliflower & Capers.
• Turn this cauliflower into a meal by boiling up 3/4 pound of short tube-shaped pasta, such as penne, fusilli, or gemelli. When the pasta is al dente, drain it, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking water. In Step 14, don't boil away any remaining liquid. Add the pasta to the cauliflower before adding the bread crumbs, and add enough reserved pasta cooking water to moisten the dish. Drizzle with a bit of extra-virgin olive oil, stir in the bread crumbs, and taste for salt and pepper. A small handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley and some freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese are good finishing touches.

BUCATINI WITH TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Cut off the crust of the bread chunk, and with your fingers tear the interior of the bread into irregular shreds, 1/4 inch or a bit larger-big enough to crunch nicely when toasted. For a pound of pasta, shred 2 full cups of the rough crumbs.
• Heat at least 6 quarts of water, with 1 tablespoon salt, to a rolling boil in the big pot, and add the bucatini. Bring it back to the boil, and cook, partially covered, until al dente.
• As soon as the pasta is in the pot, pour 1/2 cup olive oil into the big skillet, set over medium-high heat, and scatter in the garlic slices. Cook for a couple of minutes, until the garlic is sizzling and fragrant but still pale. Drop in the torn bread crumbs, and stir and tumble them over to coat with oil. Keep tossing as they start to toast and color, sprinkle the oregano over the pot, and continue stirring and tossing. Lower the heat to avoid burning, and as soon as the crumbs and garlic slices are deep gold and crisp, turn off the heat.
• Meanwhile, keep checking the pasta for doneness. As soon as it is cooked al dente, lift out the bucatini with tongs and a spider, let the water drain off for just a second or two, then drop it into the skillet.
• Turn the heat up a bit, and immediately toss the pasta with the bread crumbs and garlic. Sprinkle on 1/2 teaspoon salt, and keep tossing. If the crumbs absorbed all the oil and the pasta seems dry, drizzle over them 2 or more tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, and toss well. Taste, and season with more salt if needed. Finally, sprinkle on the parsley (and grated Canestrato Pugliese, if you have it, or other pecorino), toss, and serve right away.

CREAMED SPINACH WITH ROASTED CIPOLLINI ONIONS AND TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Place the unpeeled onions in a bowl and cover with very hot water. Set aside for 15 minutes to soften the skins. Drain the onions, then peel and pat dry. Heat a large skillet over high heat and add a 2-count of oil. Add the onions and saute until they are golden brown all over, about 10 minutes. Add the vinegar and honey, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the mixture has reduced to a syrup and the onions are soft, about 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Drizzle with a 2-count of oil, add the butter, and stir it around until it melts. Add the onions and garlic and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach in batches, pushing it down into the pan with a wooden spoon to help it wilt and adding more spinach as soon as there is room in the pot. Cook the spinach until it is dry, then reduce the heat and add the cream and nutmeg. Stir and cook for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the creamed spinach into a baking dish and top it with the onions and the panko. Bake until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve hot.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH GRATIN WITH ROSEMARY TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; saute until onions are light golden, about 8 minutes. Add squash; saute 4 minutes. Sprinkle sugar, 1/2 t eash of salt and pepper over vegetables; saute until onions and squash begin to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Spread vegetable mixture in prepared dish. Pour chicken broth over. Cover tightly with foil and bake 45 minutes. (Squash mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Cool and refrigerate. Reheat in 350 degrees F oven until heated through, about 10 minutes.) Mix breadcrumbs, cheese, rosemary and thyme in medium bowl. Sprinkle over gratin. Bake uncovered until top is golden brown and crisp, about 20-30 minutes.

SPICY SPAGHETTI WITH PANCETTA AND TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• In 4-quart saucepan, heat spaghetti and broth just to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium; cook 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently, until al dente and liquid is almost completely absorbed. Remove from heat; let pasta stand 1 minute.
• Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add pancetta; cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until crisp. Add garlic and pepper flakes; cook and stir 1 minute. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until toasted. Remove from heat; set aside.
• Stir cheese and parsley into pasta. Divide pasta among 4 plates; top with pancetta mixture.

BRAISED BRUSSEL SPROUTS WITH PANCETTA AND TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, mix bread crumbs and thyme with 1/4 cup olive oil, adn spread on a cookie sheet. Toast, tossing frequently, until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. 2. Heat butter and remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until foamy. Add brussels sprouts, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and saute, tossing frequently, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add diced pancetta, and saute, tossing frequently, until sprouts are well browned and softened slightly, and pancetta is crisp, about 10 minutes more. Reduce heat, add shallots and garlic, and saute until fragrant, 2 minutes. 3. Increase heat to high, add balsamic vinegar and stock, and cook, tossing frequently, until sprouts are glazed and tender, about 10 minutes; add more stock if needed. Taste, adjusting seasoning if necessary, and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Transfer to a warm serving bowl and scatter bread crumbs on top.

TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Spread crumbs in a shallow baking pan and bake in middle of oven, stirring occasionally, until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer crumbs to a bowl, then drizzle with oil and season with sea salt. Stir until crumbs are coated.

BRAISED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH PANCETTA AND TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, mix bread crumbs and thyme with 1/4 cup olive oil, and spread on a cookie sheet. Toast, tossing frequently, until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. 2. Heat butter and remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until foamy. Add brussels sprouts, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and sauté, tossing frequently, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add diced pancetta, and sauté, tossing frequently, until sprouts are well browned and softened slightly, and pancetta is crisp, about 10 minutes more. Reduce heat, add shallots and garlic, and sauté until fragrant, 2 minutes. 3. Increase heat to high, add balsamic vinegar and stock, and cook, tossing frequently, until sprouts are glazed and tender, about 10 minutes; add more stock if needed. Taste, adjusting seasoning if necessary, and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Transfer to a warm serving bowl and scatter bread crumbs on top.

ORECCHIETTE WITH TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the read crumbs and 1/4 teaspoon each of sea salt and pepper. Stirring constantly, cook the bread crumbs until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Working quickly, drain the pasta and stir it into the toasted bread-crumb mixture in the pan. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the prosciutto and Parmesan cheese. Season the pasta with more salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl, garnish with the parsley, and serve.