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Simple Side Salad with Croutons and Parmesan Recipe

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3.8 from 55 reviews

A fresh and vibrant Simple Side Salad featuring crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and crunchy toasted almonds, topped with homemade golden croutons and a zesty all-purpose dressing made with red wine vinegar and Dijon mustard. This salad is perfect as a light side dish for any meal and can be prepared in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

For the Croutons

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4 cups ciabatta, baguette or sourdough bread cubes

For the Dressing

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Salad

  • 1 head romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 2 Persian cucumbers, sliced
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 1/4 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup sliced toasted almonds
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) to prepare for baking the croutons.
  2. Prepare Crouton Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, chopped fresh parsley, and garlic powder. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking.
  3. Coat the Bread Cubes: Spread the 4 cups of bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Pour the olive oil and parsley mixture over the cubes and gently toss to evenly coat all the bread pieces.
  4. Bake the Croutons: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the bread cubes until they are crisp and golden brown, approximately 13 to 15 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
  5. Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, and garlic powder. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. This creates a zesty all-purpose dressing.
  6. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, add roughly chopped romaine lettuce. Top with halved cherry tomatoes, sliced Persian cucumbers, grated carrot, thinly sliced onion, sliced toasted almonds, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
  7. Toss the Salad: Pour half of the dressing over the salad and gently toss until the ingredients are well combined and coated with dressing. Season again with salt and pepper if needed.
  8. Serve: Serve the salad immediately with the remaining dressing on the side for additional flavor if desired.

Notes

  • You can use any sturdy bread like ciabatta, baguette, or sourdough for making croutons to add perfect crunch.
  • To toast the almonds, simply heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant and lightly browned.
  • The salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of lettuce and croutons.
  • If you prefer, you can substitute fresh oregano for dried oregano in the dressing for a brighter herb flavor.
  • Adjust seasoning in both croutons and dressing according to your taste preferences.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/simple-side-salad-with-croutons-and-parmesan-recipe/