Panfried Croutons Recipes

PANFRIED CROUTONS

Steps:

• Cut bread into 1/2-inch cubes, yielding about 4 cups. Heat a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter until bubbling. Add half the bread cubes; cook, tossing occasionally, until crisp and golden, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter to pan, swirl to melt, and cook croutons 5 minutes longer. Set aside on a plate.
• Repeat process with remaining butter and bread cubes. Season croutons with salt and pepper, and serve.

DEEP-FRIED EGGPLANT CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat a fryer to 375 degrees F.
• In separate shallow dishes add flour, egg and bread crumbs. Coat the eggplant cubes in the flour, then the egg and finally through the bread crumbs. Carefully add the cubes to the fryer and fry until crisp and golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the fryer to a paper towel lined platter to drain. Sprinkle with salt and set aside.
• Vinaigrette:
• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic and mustard. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to combine and emulsify. Add the herbs, salt and pepper. Set aside to dress salad.
• In a large serving bowl, toss together the greens, herbs, cheese, tomatoes and onion.
• Toss with the desired amount of dressing, top with eggplant croutons and serve.

GARLIC-PARMESAN CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Mix butter, Parmesan cheese, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and salt together in a large, flat-bottomed bowl; add bread cubes and turn with a spatula to coat. Spread coated bread cubes onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool croutons completely before storing in an airtight container.

CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Remove crusts from stale bread slices. Brush bread on both sides with melted butter. Cut bread slices up into small cubes. Sprinkle with garlic salt (if desired). Arrange cubes on an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes or until browned. Let cool. Store croutons in a covered container or plastic bag. Serve in soups or salads.

ROSEMARY GARLIC CROUTONS FROM ST. AUGUSTINE

Steps:

• Trim the crusts from the slices of bread.
• Cut into 1/2 inch (1cm) cubes.
• Keep aside.
• Heat oil in a skillet or frying pan on moderately low flame.
• While the oil is heating, crush the clove of garlic and rosemary, separately, using your mortar and pestle.
• You can also crumble the rosemary between the palms of your hands if you like.
• I personally like to crush it to bring out the flavour to the fullest.
• Now, add the crushed garlic to the moderately hot oil and cook for a minute, stirring continuously until it is golden.
• Remove the garlic.
• Toss in the bread cubes and crushed/crumbled rosemary.
• Cook these awesome croutons, tossing lightly, until they are lightly browned all over.
• Sprinkle with salt to taste.
• Remove from the skillet or pan and transfer onto paper towels to drain.
• Serve over soup (if they last that long!).

HOMEMADE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Rub the whole garlic clove over both sides of the sourdough. Tear it into rough chunks and toss with the oil, a good pinch of salt and the seeds.
• Spread out on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 mins until golden and crisp. Mix with the chopped parsley. Sprinkle on soup or a salad for added crunch.