Crescent City Croutons Recipe Italian

EASY ITALIAN CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees on Bake.
• Cut bread into 3/4 inch wide strips and lay them flat on an aluminum pan (I like to use scissors not knives).
• Drizzle olive oil onto bread, sprinkle herbs and cheese.
• Pop into the oven for 15-20 minutes.
• If you want to make mini croutons for salad, cut the bread into small cubes (instead of step one) and follow same procedure.

CRESCENT CITY CROUTONS

Steps:

• Cut French bread lengthwise as if for a long sandwich. Then cut the bread lengthwise with two or three cuts from the top to the bottom. Then cut the bread across to produce cubes of bread about 3/4 of an inch thick.
• Place the cubed bread in a large bowl that slopes to a small bottom. This will direct excess oil and seasonings towards the bottom of the bowl. Add the bread to the bowl and all of the seasonings. Toss gently for several minutes, it is important to insure that the seasonings are distributed evenly and that the oil is completely absorbed by the bread.
• Arrange the croutons in a single layer on a 1/2 sheet baking or a jellyroll pan.
• Preheat oven to 350F, place the baking sheet in the oven, then turn off the oven immediately. Bake the croutons for 90 minutes, do not open oven during that time.
• Allow the croutons to cool, place in a shallow serving bowl and serve with salads.

CRESCENT CITY SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• For Grits:.
• Saute sausage in a medium saucepan just until hot, and some oil is released.
• Add water, bring to a boil, add salt and grits. Cook until thick and soft.
• Stir in cheese spread until melted through. Add parsley and adjust seasoning to taste.
• For Shrimp:.
• Generously sprinkle shrimp with seafood seasoning. I use Chef Paul's, but use whatever kind you happen to like.
• Melt butter in a nonstick skillet, add onion and pepper and cook gently until onion is translucent.
• Add garlic and cook a few moments more, stirring constantly.
• Add shrimp and wine and cook until nice and pink, but still tender.
• To serve:.
• Ladle grits into shallow bowls, top with shrimp, and drizzle with the butter and wine left in the pan. You can top it with a bit more parsley or green onions if you like. Traditionally, we would serve this with a crisp green salad and mimosas for a special brunch.

ITALIAN DRESSING CROUTONS

Steps:

• Toss bread with dressing and garlic powder.
• Crisp in a baking pan in a 425 deg. oven for 10 minute until golden brown & crisp.
• Store in an airtight container.

ITALIAN SALAD CROUTONS

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.

CROISSANT CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven 375 degrees.
• Gently cut up croissants into large cubes, avoid crushing.
• Mix, in a large bowl, all other ingredients well.
• Toss croissant cubes into mixture and toss, coating well.
• Spread croissant cubes onto cookie sheet in single layer.
• Bake 375 degrees for 5-10 minutes until crisp and browned.
• Turn over croutons 1/2 way through baking process to brown evenly.
• Serve warm or room temperature.