Salad With Crisp Croutons Recipes

CRISPY CROUTON SALAD

Steps:

• Place bread cubes in a single layer in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 450° for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown, stirring twice. Cool., In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, yellow pepper and basil. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with croutons.

SPRING SALAD WITH CRISPY CHICKEN AND BACONY CROUTONS

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 475ºF. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Using kitchen shears, remove bones, keeping skin and flesh intact; discard bones. Season chicken all over with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
• Heat a medium cast-iron or heavy ovenproof skillet over medium-high until hot but not smoking. Sear chicken skin side down, undisturbed, 2 minutes. Continue to cook, turning occasionally, until fat renders and skin is golden brown, 4-6 minutes more. Transfer chicken to a plate. Carefully pour off all but 2 tsp. fat and wipe off any fat that drips onto side or bottom of skillet. Return chicken to skillet skin side up. Transfer to oven and roast chicken, tenting skillet with foil if skin becomes too dark halfway through, until skin crisps and meat is cooked through, 8-12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until just crispy, 4-5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a large heatproof bowl. Pour off all but 2 Tbsp. fat. Heat fat in skillet over medium. Add bread in an even layer, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook, turning pieces occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat; add 1 Tbsp. vinegar and toss until absorbed. Let cool a few minutes, then taste and season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer croutons to bowl with bacon.
• Remove chicken from oven and transfer to a plate; reserve skillet with fat and pan drippings. Let chicken cool 5-10 minutes, then cut into 1" pieces.
• Cook shallot, peas, 1/8 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper in reserved skillet over medium-low heat, stirring, until shallots are softened and peas are cooked, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in oil and remaining 2 Tbsp. vinegar (mixture will bubble) with a heatproof spatula. (If you want to ensure bright green peas, cook them separately in a small saucepan of boiling water or in the microwave and sprinkle over top of salad after plating.)
• Add escarole, fennel, and radishes to bowl with bacon and croutons. Pour warm dressing over. Toss to combine and slightly wilt greens.
• Mound salad among plates; nestle in chicken pieces. Top with mint. Serve immediately.

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.

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.

CRISPY RICE SALAD WITH HALLOUMI AND GINGER-LIME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Make the ginger-lime vinaigrette: In a large bowl, stir together the sliced red onion, lime zest, lime juice, ginger, garlic and 1/4 cup olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside, letting the red onion marinate and tenderize.
• Prepare the rice: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high in a large nonstick skillet. Stir in the turmeric. Add the rice and cook, stirring quickly to coat the rice evenly, about 1 minute. (No need to break it up entirely; clumps are encouraged for texture.)
• Season generously with salt and pepper, and let rice sit, undisturbed, until crispy underneath and toasted in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Gently turn the rice with a spatula, trying to preserve any clumps, and cook another 3 minutes, until crispy on the second side. (The rice should be almost equal parts crispy and chewy, and evenly stained by the turmeric.) Transfer to a large, paper towel-lined rimmed baking sheet, set in an even layer and let cool.
• Prepare the halloumi: Chop the halloumi into 3/4-inch cubes, then pat them dry using a kitchen towel or paper towels. Wipe out the skillet, then heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Add the cubed halloumi in an even layer and cook, stirring frequently, until golden at the edges, 2 to 3 minutes. (Sturdy but delicate, halloumi needs to cook quickly at a high temperature so it sears without fully melting down and losing its shape. Stir attentively!) Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season with pepper.
• When ready to eat, add the greens to the vinaigrette, toss to coat and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a wide, shallow bowl or dish. (You want a big surface area to accommodate the toppings.) Scatter with the crispy rice clusters and hot halloumi. Serve immediately.

SALAD WITH CRISP CROUTONS

Steps:

• Mix all the vegetables and salad together then season with olive oil, balsamic vinegar salt, pepper then mix in the crisps.