Homemade CROUTONS can easily turn a good salad into a great salad. Crunchy, garlicky croutons are the usual garnish for CAESAR SALAD…for most green salads for that matter…and I wouldn’t think of eating a bowl of my favorite CHICKEN BISQUE without a handful of freshly made croutons on top. I had just enough crab meat left over from my beach trip to make a big Caesar salad. This is a very simple salad and how good it is depends on the quality of the few ingredients required…crisp romaine lettuce, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, homemade dressing, croutons and..in this case…a generous helping of just out of the ocean, freshly cracked DUNGENESS CRAB MEAT.
I don’t have a crouton recipe I follow. I just eyeball the amount of olive oil I use depending on the amount of bread that I have cubed…about 1/4 to 1/3 cup for 6 cups of bread cubes…some bread soaks up more oil than others. Put the bread cubes on a baking sheet and toss with a mixture of olive oil, several minced garlic cloves, freshly ground black pepper, salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper (Parmesan cheese and dried herbs are optional). Bake at 350 degrees, stirring often, until bread is nicely browned and crisp. I don’t use butter because the croutons don’t last as long as when only olive oil is used. The butter can turn rancid if the croutons are stored in the cupboard for more than a few days. Once you try homemade croutons you will never settle for store bought again. And they are a very tasty little snack with a nice glass of a crisp Oregon wine.
CAESAR SALAD DRESSING
is so easy to make at home and is so much better than anything you can buy at the store.
There are a zillion recipes in bloggie land. Here are a few you might enjoy.
Caesar Salad with Pancetta by Ina Garten
Best Caesar Dressing (No Anchovies) by Chowhound.com
Classic Caesar Salad Dressing by An Oregon Cottage
Classic Caesar Salad by Martha Stewart
Chicken Caesar Salad by Smitten Kitchen
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
okay after seeing this, I’m going to throw my lunch salad in the garbage…..
Hahaha… no, Ramona, don’t do that. A salad like this is a rare treat because of the crab. But it’s delicious with shrimp too, or salmon for that matter. I could have this every day of the week.
Cathy recently posted..Dungeness Crab Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Those homemade croutons really sing in this salad.
CiaochowLinda recently posted..Bicerin
This looks like a seaside vacation on a plate:)
Beau!
We make our croutons too..No comaprison..except of course for one place in Mtl..but I think each crouton has 1000 calories..But oh they are good!
Monique recently posted..Miss Kitty~aka Hello Kitty:-)
Definitely one of my favorite kinds of salads, and good croutons make it even better!
Rhonda (@diningalone) recently posted..Best Thing I Ever Made – Appetizer
Oh YUM!
Karen recently posted..Chile Rellenos with Salsa
I can just taste that crab! Yum! There’s nothing better than a good caesar
Virtually Homemade – Liz recently posted..Twice Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Caramelized Onions
Your croutons looks delicious. We usually pass on them at home. I figure, we don’t need the extra calories, and rarely do we have bread in the house anymore. That being said, gosh, they would taste great on Dale’s Caesar salads!!
Susan recently posted..Jaeger Suppe – Beef Soup
Love the homemade Cathy as well as the crab in this classic.
bellini recently posted..Chicken Pot Pie Soup Brings Us Comfort on a Snowy Day
Oh my goodness, Kathy…that looks SOOO good! I haven’t made Caesar salad since early summer. I like it with grilled blackened salmon flaked over it, but your Dungeness crab would take it over the top! YUMMO! now I’m really hungry for some! Starting a new grocery list right now.
Hugs,
Rett
p.s. AWESOME photo, by the way!
Rettabug recently posted..Rag Scarves
Ummmm, mmm! Wish I could dig into that salad right now! It has to be the best!
The salad sounds scrumptious Cathy! Wish I had a big ole bowl right now:@)
That salad looks fabulous! And I TOTALLY agree about the croutons – homemade croutons have completely spoiled me for any others. And thanks, too, for the mention of my dressing recipe.
Jami @ An Oregon Cottage recently posted..Organizing Tips & Ideas
That sounds great! I just had a ceasars salad today.
Caesar salad is a favorite at our house and you are right about the its success being dependent on very fresh ingredients, and for me, there’s no such thing as too much anchovy!
Linda recently posted..Making it My Style
You are a woman after my own heart, Cathy. I’ve come to believe croutons are an addiction, much like popcorn!
I love ‘em. Your salad looks fabulous and I agree, croutons make the perfect final touch on soups. I’ve never made them that way…will try it next time.
Barbara recently posted..Mushroom, Leek and Fontina Gratin
The problem I have with homemade croutons is squirreling away bread to do them. They are so much better. I should just start buying a loaf with that intent. Ah, Dungeness crab–it’s my San Francisco treat.
Best,
Bonnie
You are killing me with these crab posts. I love the stuff. This salad looks great. I have a favorite Caesar salad recipe too and it includes making my own croutons, but I have to hide them to keep my husband from eating them before I can get the salad made.
Karen Harris recently posted..The Pillsbury Bake-Off and a 1960 Classic: Dilly Casserole Bread
Excuse me while I wipe the drool off of my keyboard. This salad looks seriously amazing! Nicely done Cathy.
Pam recently posted..Meyer Lemon Chicken with Baby Potatoes and Castelvetrano Olives
Caesar salad is my all time favorite. Hadn’t thought of adding the crab and homemade croutons. Ok must do this very soon.
Marilyn recently posted..Tea Time Thursday
Ok—now I KNOW I made a bad mistake when I didn’t buy that fresh crab I was eyeing yesterday at the grocery store. I have loved Caeser Salads ever since my parents introduced me to them at the Quay in Vancouver, Washington eons ago. Crab, homemade croutons, Caeser salad dressing, fish and chips…ahhhh!
Blessings,
Aimee
I have my favorite breads for making croutons. I wouldn’t make a Caesar salad without them. Sadly, I can’t replicate your Dungeness crab for this amazing salad.
Susan recently posted..Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake
This is one gorgeous caesar salad, Cathy.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Beluga Black Lentil Salad with Tofu
I agree about the croutons, nothing like homemade!
Kathleen recently posted..Mid-January Red and Black~ Let’s Dish!