Green salad with salad cheese and croutons
Dive into this easy green salad with warm salad cheese and homemade croutons. Fresh romaine lettuce, herbal parsley, and warm salad cheese with lemon zest make the perfect base for the crunchy croutons, and drizzled with a zesty mustard dressing the salad is just what you need for a light lunch or an enticing side dish for dinner.
Ingredients
Croutons
|
Sourdough bread
|
150 g |
|---|
Mustard dressing
|
Dijon mustard
|
1 tbsp |
|---|---|
|
Olive oil
|
1 tbsp |
|
Fresh lemon juice
|
2 tsp |
|
Water
|
2 tbsp |
|
Freshly ground pepper
|
Salad
|
Large head of romaine lettuce (approx. 250 g), torn into large pieces
|
1 |
|---|---|
|
Flat-leaf parsley, shredded
|
200 ml |
|
Salad cheese, cubed and drained
|
200 g |
|
Lemon zest (unsprayed), finely grated
|
½ tsp |
Instructions
Croutons
Mustard dressing
Salad
Tip
Make your croutons with leftover or stale bread for the best, crispy texture. Older bread is dryer, which allows it to crisp up without becoming soggy. This also means it absorbs flavours more effectively for a richer flavour in every bite.
Tip
To maintain the crispiness of the croutons, add them to the salad just before serving. This prevents them from absorbing too much dressing and becoming soft before you start eating.
Other recipes
Prepare a simple green salad with warm salad cheese
You do not need more than a few delicious, high-quality ingredients to make a great salad. Our green salad with salad cheese and homemade croutons has just that. It is dressed in a tangy mustard dressing and beautifully marries the crisp freshness of the greens with the warm, creamy texture of the salad cheese, while the croutons add a delightful crunch.
The salad cheese is the warm, creamy element that makes the salad deliciously indulgent. Heated on the pan with lemon zest, the cheese gets a softer, creamier texture and a bright, aromatic lift to its mild tanginess. This mild, slightly tangy flavour melds perfectly with the sharpness of the mustard dressing, adding a comforting, velvety layer to each bite. As it warms, the cheese becomes even more luscious, making the salad cheese an indulgent, irresistible element in the salad.
A rustic crunch from homemade croutons
Homemade croutons add that delicious, crunchy texture you need in a salad. Their satisfying bite balances the tender lettuce leaves and the soft, warm salad cheese. They have a crispy exterior and slightly chewy interior, making each bite truly irresistible. They infuse the salad with a rich, toasted depth that complements the freshness of the green lettuce and the creaminess of the cheese.
Do you want to try other recipes with homemade croutons? Besides salads, they are delicious with soup, so try our cheese soup with buttery croutons or hot tomato and lentil soup with garlic croutons. You can also try something different with our avocado mousse with crispy rye bread croutons.
Enjoy with a sharp and refreshing mustard dressing
With the subtle lettuce leaves, mild cheese, and crispy croutons, you need a burst of flavour from the dressing. The dressing in this recipe has a smooth, rich base of olive oil and a sharpness of Dijon mustard, providing a pleasant, tangy kick. Fresh lemon juice introduces a zesty brightness, cutting through the richness and refreshing the palate. Bring it all together with a dash of freshly ground pepper to add a spicy warmth while letting the pungent mustard shine through and define the dressing.
Add your own touch to the recipe
Although it is quite a simple recipe, you can easily create different flavour nuances. Use butterhead lettuce instead of romaine lettuce for a softer, sweeter base, or opt for green or red leaf lettuce to introduce a slight bitterness and a more pronounced leafy texture. Although it is not a lettuce, you can also use endive to add a crisp texture and a slightly bitter flavour, giving the salad a nice complexity and depth.
Add different flavours with herbs other than parsley, for example, fresh coriander for a lively, citrusy note, or fresh basil for a sweet, peppery flavour that beautifully complements the creamy salad cheese and tangy mustard dressing. Or add other vegetables, such as fresh tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and cubes or slices of cucumber, to add a Greek touch.
For the croutons, you can use any bread type you want. Use whatever you have or like the most, whether it is white, whole wheat, sourdough, or a mix of different types. You can also make cheese croutons by mixing the bread cubes with finely grated cheese, oil, and salt. Toast them in the oven or a pan until they turn golden and crispy.
