croutons

When it comes to food newsletters, I subscribe to them all. One that I look forward to getting is Tasting Table's Chefs' Recipes. The ingredients are seasonal, and the dishes timely and clever. I usually hit print before I've finished reading the email! Earlier this week, the featured recipe was a kale Caesar salad from Chad Robertson's Tartine Bread cookbook. Since I love Caesar salads, I had to make this hearty variation immediately. The tangy lemon-garlic dressing stands up to the bitter greens. Use the vinaigrette right after blending (it separates easily) and be sure to coat each leaf with the delicious mixture. Serve with roast chicken, a bowl of soup, or just enjoy a huge plate of it alone — that's what I did! I promise this dish won't disappoint, so get the recipe now.

Sometimes I'll make a hurried salad by haphazardly throwing vegetables and oil into a bowl. Other times, I'll make a leisurely salad with homemade croutons and an elaborate vinaigrette.
This amazing dinner salad is the latter, because the vinaigrette has to be made in advance. Don't be intimidated though, once you've reduced the beer, the rest is easy. The ingredients — tangy blue cheese, juicy cherries, crunchy croutons, and bitter greens — come together perfectly, creating a salad that is sophisticated and filling. It's the kind of salad you'll want to serve to girlfriends at a bridal shower. Be sure to pair with a luxurious white wine like Forefront's classic Sav Blanc. I enjoyed this dish so much that I've already made it multiple times. Give it a try and get the recipe now.

My favorite steak sandwich involves blue cheese and fresh arugula. When I came across this recipe for an Italian steak and bread salad, I was intrigued because it takes the sandwich ingredients and turns them into a hearty dinner salad.

The resulting dish has all the familiar flavors of a gourmet steak sandwich, but requires a fork to eat. The recipe is highly adaptable, so feel free to use chicken, goat cheese, or mushrooms in place of the steak, blue cheese, and tomatoes. For the method, read more

Sometimes I'll plan ahead and remember to soak dried beans overnight, but most of the time, I simply use recipes that call for canned beans. Better yet, lentils are so tiny that they don't require an overnight bath. Don't believe me? Then give this recipe a try.

It proves that brown lentils can be cooked in under a half an hour. They're combined with sautéed veggies and vegetable broth to make a hearty, savory, and soothing soup. Fresh croutons add heft and crunch to this brothy and delicious dish. Sound interesting? Get the recipe now.

Since the majority of you prefer to stay in on New Year's Eve, I thought you might be looking for a delectable soup recipe. This white bean soup with bacon and goat cheese croutons is elegant and surprisingly easy to make. Serve it in shot glasses as an appetizer to a party or enjoy a large bowl with a green salad for a simple meal. Although it has a creamy texture, there's only a small amount of cream in the soup — the starch from the beans provides the thick richness. To make it vegetarian friendly, ditch the bacon and use vegetable stock instead of chicken broth. Learn how this scrumptious soup is done and read more

Panzanella is an Italian salad that typically consists of the following basic elements: day-old bread, diced onions, and ripe tomatoes. Many other ingredients can be added, but I prefer variations that highlight the pure fresh flavor of in-season tomatoes. This recipe is Top Chef Masters runner up Michael Chiarello's version. Although he says one should peel, seed, and drain the tomatoes, I skip this step all together. With its burst in your mouth tomatoes, crunchy cheesy croutons, and peppery crisp arugula, this is my favorite Summer panzanella. I've made it countless times over the years and my guests are always impressed. To introduce your friends and family to this scrumptious salad, get the recipe.

When I lived in Spain, my Spanish friends were always asking me to make American foods. While I hosted a huge dinner entitled, "The Hamburger Party," when I had smaller gatherings, I always made Caesar salad. With its crisp romaine leaves, crunchy croutons, and creamy, tangy dressing, something about the classic salad is quintessentially American. Although it's found at practically every Italian-American restaurant and salad shop, I rarely order it and prefer to make it at home. A big plate of Caesar salad is an excellent Summer meal that's comforting and delicious. I've been using Martha Stewart's technique for so long that I no longer have to look at the recipe! To check it out, read more