Greens with Homemade Croutons

Name: Greens with Homemade Croutons
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients: 5 slices day-old French bread (1/2 inch thick), cubed; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon; 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme; 1 teaspoon minced fresh basil; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt; DRESSING:; 3 tablespoons canola oil; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Dash celery salt; SALAD:; 2 cups spring mix salad greens; 2 cups torn romaine or fresh baby spinach; 1/2 small cucumber, thinly sliced; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 green onion, thinly sliced

A lively salad of fresh greens gets a flavorful boost from homemade croutons baked with tarragon, thyme and basil. — Ann Bush, Colorado City, Colorado

Ingredients

5 slices day-old French bread (1/2 inch thick), cubed
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1 teaspoon minced fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
DRESSING:
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash celery salt
SALAD:
2 cups spring mix salad greens
2 cups torn romaine or fresh baby spinach
1/2 small cucumber, thinly sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 green onion, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°. Place bread cubes in a bowl. Drizzle with butter; toss lightly. Sprinkle with seasonings; toss to combine. Arrange in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 14-18 minutes or until golden brown, turning occasionally.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients. In a large bowl, combine salad ingredients. Just before serving, drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Top with croutons.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/4 cups: 265 calories, 23g fat (8g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 386mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Springy Green Salad with Homemade Croutons in Taste of Home April/May 2013

Reviews

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Average Rating:

cwbuff2

Jul 5, 2014

Normally I love cooking with fresh herbs, but I had trouble with these. I followed the recipe, but most of the herbs remained in the mixing bowl, and the rest fell off the croutons into the baking pan. I suggest using ground thyme and dried tarragon and basil and mixing them into the melted butter, and then tossing the bread cubes in the butter. Maybe that will work better. My family still liked them, though. I liked that the dressing amount was just enough, most recipes call for way too much dressing and you're left with lots extra.
beckic66

Mar 22, 2014

We love to have salad with dinner. This one was easy and delish.
sallygirl7

Mar 8, 2014

Love, love, loved these croutons. The boxed off the shelf ones taste commercialized. These were not difficult to make, had really great seasoning and really rounded out the salad. Nice!