Best 5 Spicy Croutons Recipes

CAESAR SALAD WITH SPICY PANCETTA AND CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the cornbread: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Whisk in the buttermilk, milk and eggs. Whisk in the melted butter.
• Coat the sides and bottom of a 9-inch skillet with the remaining butter. Pour the batter into the skillet and bake until the center is firm and a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool. Cut half of the cornbread into cubes. (Devour the other half with butter and jam.)
• For the dressing: Combine the mustard, garlic, a pinch salt and about 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper in a food processor. Pulse to blend. With the machine running, pour the lemon juice and caper juice into the mix. Slowly pour in the olive oil and then the canola oil. Transfer the dressing to a bowl. Taste for seasoning. Too lemony? Add more oil. Too oily, add more lemon. Stir in the anchovies, anchovy oil and a few tablespoons grated Parmesan. Refrigerate. (See Cook's Note.)
• For the salad: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Spread the cornbread cubes on a baking sheet and bake until browned and toasty, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Add about three quarters of the dressing to a large bowl and toss the romaine with the dressing. Grate some Parmesan over the leaves. Use a tea strainer or sifter to sprinkle the pancetta with an even, light layer of the cayenne. Top with salad with the pancetta and warm cornbread croutons and serve immediately.

FRISéE WITH CROUTONS AND SPICY OLIVES

Steps:

• Drop bread cubes into a skillet and sprinkle oil over them. Toss gently and cook over high heat, tossing occasionally, until cubes are browned on all sides. Remove from skillet.
• Mix mustard, garlic, salt, pepper and vinegar in a large serving bowl. Stir in oil.
• Add the frisée, olives and sun-dried tomatoes to the bowl and toss thoroughly. Divide among 4 salad plates and sprinkle the croutons on top.

SPICY CROUTONS

Steps:

• Lay bread slices onto a flat surface. Cut circles out of the middle of each slice using a drinking glass; discard bread remainders.
• Sprinkle about 3/4 teaspoon chili pepper and 3/4 teaspoon garlic and herb seasoning over each side of each bread circle.
• Lightly grease a skillet with oil and place over medium heat. Cook bread circles in skillet until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

SPICY, LEMONY CHICKEN BREASTS WITH CROUTONS AND GREENS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange the bread on a rimmed baking sheet; drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake, turning once, until lightly golden and toasted, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons oil with the lemon zest and juice, garlic, oregano, red-pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set aside.
• In a 10-inch skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and add to skillet. Cook, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Add 1/4 cup water to skillet, cover, and continue to cook until chicken is cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Uncover, remove from heat and add lemon juice mixture; turn chicken to coat.
• Tear each piece of bread in half and toss with lettuce; divide among plates. Top with chicken, and drizzle with the lemony pan juices.

SPICY BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH LIME CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat, add the oil and when shimmering, add the scallions, bay leaves and cumin, and cook until softened about 3 minutes. Add the carrots, tomato paste and chipotle, and cook stirring until the carrots brown about 8 minutes.
• Raise the heat to high and stir in the potatoes and squash, making sure they are well coated with the paste. Season with 1 tablespoon salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Cook for about 5 minutes more. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover, and cook until the potato and the squash are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Puree the soup until smooth with an immersion blender, or cool slightly and puree, in batches. in a jar blender. Keep warm.
• Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter, and when melted, stir in the bread cubes. Cook, tossing frequently, until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle with lime zest and drizzle with the lime juice. Season with salt, to taste, and continue to toss and cook for another minute. Ladle the soup into serving bowls and scatter the croutons on top before serving.