**Savory Green Salad with Homemade Croutons: A Delightful Symphony of Flavors and Textures**
Indulge in a culinary masterpiece that combines the vibrancy of fresh greens, the crunch of homemade croutons, and a tangy dressing, creating a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This Green Salad with Croutons is not just a simple side dish; it's an explosion of freshness, a celebration of simplicity, and an ode to the beauty of natural ingredients. In this article, we present two variations of this classic salad - a classic vinaigrette dressing and a creamy Caesar dressing - each offering a unique flavor profile that complements the crisp greens and crunchy croutons.
**Classic Vinaigrette Dressing:**
This traditional dressing strikes a perfect balance between tangy and savory, adding a delightful acidity that brightens up the salad. The combination of olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and herbs creates a harmonious blend that enhances the flavors of the greens without overpowering them.
**Creamy Caesar Dressing:**
For those who prefer a richer, creamier dressing, the Caesar dressing is an irresistible choice. Made with mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic, this dressing adds a luscious texture and a burst of umami to the salad. The tangy, garlicky flavor of the dressing pairs perfectly with the crisp romaine lettuce and crunchy croutons.
In addition to the two dressings, we also provide a step-by-step guide to making homemade croutons, a crucial element that elevates this salad to the next level. These golden-brown, crispy croutons add a delightful textural contrast to the soft greens and provide a satisfying crunch in every bite.
So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on this culinary journey to create a Green Salad with Croutons that will become a staple in your recipe repertoire. Get ready to experience a salad that is not just a side dish, but a celebration of fresh, simple, and delicious food.
RAW MUSTARD GREENS SALAD WITH GRUYèRE AND ANCHOVY CROUTONS
Provided by Melissa Clark
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine anchovies and garlic in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Place bread cubes in medium bowl. Drizzle 2 tablespoons anchovy oil over, tossing to coat. Sprinkle bread with salt, pepper, and half of cheese; toss to coat.
- Spray rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Scatter bread on sheet. Bake croutons until crisp and golden, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
- Measure 8 cups (loosely packed) mustard greens and place in large bowl (reserve any remaining greens for another use). Add croutons and remaining cheese to bowl. Whisk 5 teaspoons lemon juice into remaining anchovy oil; season dressing with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. Add dressing to salad; toss to coat.
SALAD CROUTONS
"Homemade croutons are a delight to serve with your favorite mixed green salad-or as a crunchy snack," suggests Fayne Lutz of Taos, New Mexico. Her well-seasoned salad toppers will set you back a mere 4 cents per serving!
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 25m
Yield 6 (2-tablespoon) servings.
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Pour the oil into an 8-in. square baking pan; add garlic. Bake at 325° until garlic is lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Add bread and onion salt; stir to coat. Bake 10-12 minutes longer or until the bread is lightly browned, stirring frequently. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 36 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 50mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
GREEN GARLIC CAESAR SALAD WITH ANCHOVY CROUTONS
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, weekday, salads and dressings
Time 30m
Yield 2 to 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Make croutons: Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half the anchovies and cook, stirring, until they melt into oil, about 2 minutes. Stir in half the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about one minute. Add bread cubes, salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toast, tossing frequently, until croutons are golden and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Make dressing: In medium bowl, whisk together remaining garlic and anchovies, plus lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire and remaining pepper. Slowly whisk in remaining olive oil.
- Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Lower eggs into pan. For nearly raw eggs cook for 90 seconds; for soft boiled, cook for 4 minutes. Rinse eggs under cold water until cool enough to handle.
- Combine lettuce, cheese and croutons in a large bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss well. Crack eggs into salad, scooping out any whites clinging to shell and toss once more. Add salt to taste.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 501, UnsaturatedFat 27 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 37 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 801 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams
GREEN SALAD WITH CROUTONS
Provided by Jacques Pepin
Categories easy, quick, salads and dressings
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Place bread cubes in a bowl; sprinkle the tablespoon of oil over them. Toss gently. Arrange cubes on cookie sheet, and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until nicely browned.
- In a large serving bowl, mix the mustard, garlic, salt, pepper and vinegar. Stir in the 4 tablespoons of oil.
- To serve, add the endive to the dressing. Toss thoroughly, and divide among 6 plates. Top with croutons.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 195, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 18 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 119 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams
CITRUS AND GREENS SALAD WITH WONTON CROUTONS
Steps:
- Grate a teaspoon of zest from the orange and set aside in a small bowl.
- To make the citrus supremes: Using a paring knife, cut off 1/2-inch from both ends of the orange and grapefruit and stand them upright so they sit flat on the cutting board. Make downward cuts, following the contour of the fruit, to remove the entire pith and peel. Hold the orange in your hand over the bowl with the zest (to catch the juice) and carefully slice between the membranes to remove the segments. Squeeze the orange remnants to release the remaining juice. Place the orange supremes in a separate bowl and set aside. Repeat with the grapefruit, adding the juices to the zest bowl for a total of about 3 tablespoons juice. Set aside the orange and grapefruit supremes.
- To make the salad dressing: Into the bowl with the reserved citrus juice and zest, add the mustard, vinegar, honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds black pepper. Whisk in the olive oil.
- Place the kale in a large serving bowl. Add the onions and drizzle with the dressing. Toss to coat. Season with salt if needed. Top with the citrus supremes, sesame seeds and Wontons. Drizzle with more dressing, as needed. Serve immediately.
- Heat about 2 inches neutral oil in a large saucepan to 365 degrees F and fill a small bowl with water. Set a wire rack over a baking sheet and set aside.
- Combine the goat cheese, chives, honey, a pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper in a small bowl. Mash with a spoon to combine.
- To form the wontons: Lay out the wonton wrappers and add 1 teaspoon filling to the center of each. To seal, dip your finger in the water and wet the perimeter of the wrapper. With your thumb and forefinger, fold 2 opposite corners of the wrapper in half and then bring them together to meet in the middle. Pinch to seal. Repeat with the remaining 2 opposite corners to create a four-cornered star.
- Add half of the wontons to the oil and fry, turning occasionally, until crisp and deep golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on the wire rack. Season with salt. Repeat with the second batch of wontons.
CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD WITH HOMEMADE CROUTONS
This homemade Caesar salad is loaded with flavor! Cold, crunchy romaine lettuce and golden brown, toasted croutons are tossed in a briny, rich dressing, delivering a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your home. Serve as a side salad alongside lasagna or grilled steak and potatoes, or add a protein such as grilled salmon, chicken, or shrimp and make it a main dish.
Provided by NicoleMcmom
Categories Caesar Salad
Time 40m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 17
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 406.2 calories, Carbohydrate 26 g, Cholesterol 55.9 mg, Fat 31.3 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 7 g, SaturatedFat 8.6 g, Sodium 998.1 mg
BABY SALAD GREENS WITH SWEET POTATO CROUTONS AND STILTON
Sweet potatoes contrast beautifully here with the pungent Stilton. Other cheeses I like for this salad are goat cheese and feta.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Time 20m
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Steam the sweet potatoes for 5 minutes, until just tender. Remove from the heat and drain on paper towels.
- In a medium, nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sweet potatoes and cook, shaking the pan and moving the pieces around often, until evenly browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and drain on paper towels.
- Whisk together the lime juice, vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt pepper, olive oil and buttermilk.
- Place the salad greens in a salad bowl and top with the cheese. Toss with the dressing. Sprinkle on the sweet potato croutons and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 205, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 390 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams
GREENS WITH HOMEMADE CROUTONS
A lively salad of fresh greens gets a flavorful boost from homemade croutons baked with tarragon, thyme and basil. - Ann Bush, Colorado City, Colorado
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325°. Place bread cubes in a bowl. Drizzle with butter; toss lightly. Sprinkle with seasonings; toss to combine. Arrange in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 14-18 minutes or until golden brown, turning occasionally. , Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients. In a large bowl, combine salad ingredients. Just before serving, drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Top with croutons.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 265 calories, Fat 23g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 30mg cholesterol, Sodium 386mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
Tips:
- For a crisp and flavorful salad, use fresh, high-quality ingredients.
- Wash and dry your greens thoroughly before assembling the salad to prevent dilution of the dressing.
- Use a variety of greens to add texture and flavor to your salad.
- Add other vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds to your salad for additional nutrients and flavor.
- Make your own croutons for a healthier and more flavorful alternative to store-bought croutons.
- Use a light hand with the dressing to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- Toss the salad gently to evenly distribute the dressing.
- Serve the salad immediately or refrigerate it for later.
Conclusion:
A green salad with croutons is a simple but delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a side or main course. It is a healthy and refreshing way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables. With a few simple tips, you can make a green salad with croutons that is both delicious and nutritious.
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