Italian Dressing Croutons Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425˚. Combine the whole grape tomatoes, red onion chunks, basil and vinegar in a blender. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and blend until almost smooth. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and puree until smooth. Remove 2 tablespoons of the dressing to a small bowl.
• Place each steak half between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound on both sides with the flat side of a meat mallet until 3/4 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper and brush with the reserved 2 tablespoons dressing. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the steak and sear until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Transfer to a cutting board to rest.
• Meanwhile, toss the bread chunks with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil on a baking sheet. Bake, tossing once, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately toss with the grated parmesan; season with salt and pepper.
• Combine the endive, radicchio, romaine, halved grape tomatoes, sliced red onion and croutons in a large bowl; drizzle with the dressing and toss. Divide among plates and top with shaved parmesan. Thinly slice the steak and add to the salads.

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise, onion, vinegar, and sugar. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the garlic salt, onion powder, sugar, oregano, pepper, thyme, basil, parsley, celery salt and regular salt. Store in a tightly sealed container.
• To prepare dressing, whisk together 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2/3 cup canola oil, 2 tablespoons water and 2 tablespoons of the dry mix.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the butter, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Add bread cubes and toss to coat. Arrange in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. , Bake at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees on Bake.
• Cut bread into 3/4 inch wide strips and lay them flat on an aluminum pan (I like to use scissors not knives).
• Drizzle olive oil onto bread, sprinkle herbs and cheese.
• Pop into the oven for 15-20 minutes.
• If you want to make mini croutons for salad, cut the bread into small cubes (instead of step one) and follow same procedure.

Steps:

• Toss bread with dressing and garlic powder.
• Crisp in a baking pan in a 425 deg. oven for 10 minute until golden brown & crisp.
• Store in an airtight container.

Steps:

• To make the dressing: Finely chop the garlic and anchovies in a food processor. Blend in the lemon juice and mustard. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil. Season the dressing, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• To make the croutons: Spread the olive oil over a small baking sheet. Transfer the hot polenta to the baking sheet, spreading evenly to form an 8 by 5 by 3/4-inch-thick rectangle. Cover and refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.
• Cut the polenta into 3/4-inch cubes. Pat the polenta cubes dry with paper towels. Add enough vegetable oil to a heavy large frying pan to come 1-inch up the sides of the pan. Heat the oil over high heat. Working in batches of 10, carefully add the polenta cubes to the oil 1 at a time and fry until golden brown, stirring to keep the cubes separate, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the polenta croutons to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
• (The dressing and polenta croutons can be prepared 1 day ahead up to this point. Cover the dressing and polenta croutons separately and refrigerate. Rewarm the polenta croutons on a baking sheet in a 350 degrees F oven before serving.)
• To make the salad: Prepare the barbecue for high heat. Grill the lettuce until lightly charred, about 2 minutes per side. Cut the lettuce into bite-size pieces.
• On a serving platter, mound the grilled chopped lettuce. Decoratively scatter the sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts. Drizzle with enough dressing to evenly coat. Sprinkle Parmesan and scatter the warm polenta croutons over and serve immediately.
• Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 12 to 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.
• Lightly oil a half sheet pan. Transfer the hot polenta to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to 3/4-inch thick. Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.

Steps:

• Place the first 10 ingredients in a blender. Cover and process until pureed. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Refrigerate leftovers.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Toss bread cubes with dressing; spread onto baking sheet.
• Bake 5 min., stirring after 3 min.
• Sprinkle with cheese. Bake an additional 6 min. or until evenly browned, stirring frequently.