## Gourmet Croutons: Elevate Your Salads and Soups with Culinary Artistry
Crusty, golden-brown croutons are the perfect addition to salads, soups, and other culinary creations, adding a delightful textural contrast and a burst of savory flavor. With endless possibilities for customization, gourmet croutons can transform an ordinary dish into a culinary masterpiece. Discover the art of crafting these delightful morsels with our collection of gourmet croutons recipes, ranging from classic to innovative. From the simplicity of garlic and herb croutons to the decadence of Parmesan and truffle croutons, our recipes cater to every palate and culinary preference. Unleash your creativity and explore the endless possibilities of gourmet croutons, transforming everyday meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.
BEST CROUTONS EVER
These croutons are soft and good. I hate croutons, but I love these!
Provided by Pancake555
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Crouton Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Melt butter in a pot over medium heat.
- Cut each bread slice into 16 cubes; add bread cubes and garlic powder to melted butter. Stir to coat. Transfer coated bread cubes to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 84.4 calories, Carbohydrate 6.4 g, Cholesterol 15.3 mg, Fat 6.2 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 126 mg, Sugar 0.6 g
CROUTONS
This is great to make your own croutons for your salads, etc. When you make your own you know what goes into it and you are proud of your accomplishment. You can also add your own flavorings.
Provided by Carol
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Crouton Recipes
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 3
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 117.5 calories, Carbohydrate 15.9 g, Cholesterol 10.2 mg, Fat 4.9 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 542.1 mg, Sugar 1.3 g
HERBED GARLIC AND PARMESAN CROUTONS
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Categories Condiment/Spread Cheese Garlic Herb Bake Quick & Easy Summer Gourmet
Yield Makes about 5 cups
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a small saucepan combine the garlic, the oregano, the basil, the thyme, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, the pepper, and the oil and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, and discard the garlic. In a bowl toss the bread cubes with the oil mixture, spread them in a jelly-roll pan, and bake them in ht e middle of a preheated 350°F oven for 8 minutes. Sprinkle the croutons with the Parmesan and bake them for 7 minutes more, or until they are golden. Sprinkle the croutons with the additional salt and let them cool. The croutons keep in an airtight container for 1 week. Serve the croutons as a topping for tossed green salad.
GOURMET POTATO SOUP WITH CROUTONS
During the long Wisconsin winters, my family "lives on" homemade soups because they are economical and freeze well. And, as with most soups, this one is even better the next day.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 45m
Yield 6-8 servings (2 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook the potatoes, celery, onion and bouillon in water until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in milk. , In a small bowl, combine sour cream and flour. Blend in 1/2 cup hot soup; stir into vegetable mixture. Add chives. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. , Meanwhile, for croutons, deep-fry bread cubes in oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towel. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Add croutons and toss to coat. Ladle soup into bowls and top with croutons.
Nutrition Facts :
HOMEMADE CROUTONS
You can change up these basic homemade croutons recipe by substituting your favorite herbs and spices. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 25m
Yield 2-2/3 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place bread in a large bowl. Combine the remaining ingredients; drizzle over bread and toss to coat., Place in a single layer in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Cool. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 110 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 336mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
HOMEMADE CROUTONS
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Trim crusts from bread and discard.
- Lightly butter both sides of each slice (or, if you prefer, first blend butter with crushed garlic). I often substitute fruity extra-virgin olive oil for butter, sometimes plain, sometimes mixed with 1/4 teaspoon crushed garlic. Because bread absorbs more oil than softened butter, 1 1/2 tablespoons oil is about right.
- Cut each buttered slice into 1/3-inch cubes and spread in a single layer, not touching, on an ungreased large baking sheet.
- Slide onto the middle oven shelf and toast about 15 minutes until pale tan.
- Use croutons as the recipe directs.
Tips:
- Use high-quality bread: The type of bread you use will greatly affect the flavor and texture of your croutons. Choose a sturdy bread that will hold its shape when toasted, such as a baguette, sourdough, or ciabatta.
- Cut the bread into uniform cubes: This will help them toast evenly. The ideal size for croutons is about 1-inch cubes.
- Toss the bread cubes with oil and seasonings: This will help them brown and crisp up in the oven. You can use any type of oil you like, but olive oil is a classic choice. As for seasonings, you can use anything from salt and pepper to garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or herbs de Provence.
- Toast the croutons in a preheated oven: This will help them get nice and crispy. The ideal temperature for toasting croutons is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the croutons occasionally to ensure they brown evenly.
- Let the croutons cool completely before storing: This will help them stay crispy.
Conclusion:
Croutons are a versatile ingredient that can be used to add flavor and texture to a variety of dishes. They're great for salads, soups, casseroles, and more. With a little experimentation, you can create your own custom croutons that are perfect for your favorite recipes. So next time you're looking for a way to add a little something extra to your dish, reach for a handful of croutons.
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