Garden Salad with Croutons

Bright, vibrant, and packed with fresh flavors, this Garden Salad with Croutons is the ultimate side dish or light main course perfect for any occasion. Featuring crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and colorful bell peppers, this salad is a celebration of fresh produce at its finest. The homemade garlicky croutons, made from day-old French bread and baked to golden perfection, add a delightful crunch, while the simple, zesty dressing of olive oil and lemon juice ties it all together. Finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a touch of savory richness, this salad delivers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes and ideal for serving up to four, it’s a healthy, delicious way to brighten up your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 heads Romaine lettuce
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 0.25 medium Red onion
• 1 medium Carrot
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 4 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 2 cups Day-old French bread
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cut the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, rinse under cold water, and dry thoroughly using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel.

Step 3

Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, and thinly slice the cucumber, red onion, and carrot. Dice the red bell pepper into small squares.

Step 4

In a large salad bowl, combine the lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, carrot, and red bell pepper.

Step 5

To make the croutons, cut the day-old French bread into 1-inch cubes.

Step 6

In a small saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat and add minced garlic cloves. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 7

Drizzle the garlic-infused oil over the bread cubes, and toss them well to coat. Spread the coated bread cubes on a baking sheet.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Remove from oven and let cool.

Step 9

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 10

Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well to combine.

Step 11

Top the salad with the cooled croutons and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 12

Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh garden salad with croutons.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2382.1 grams (2382.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2252

Total Fat 82.10g	105%
Saturated Fat 16.60g	83%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.40g
Cholesterol 22mg	7%
Sodium 4743mg	206%
Total Carbohydrate 312.60g	114%
Dietary Fiber 37.20g	133%
Total Sugars 32.10g
Protein 74.50g	149%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 854mg	66%
Iron 26mg	146%
Potassium 4055mg	86%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.3%

Protein: 13.0%

Carbs: 54.7%