Tag: Parmesan

Parmesan Skillet Croutons

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Unless you count restaurants, I doubt very many of you have ever eaten homemade croutons….I sure haven’t.

I think my mom was in the “baking mood” as I like to call it, and wanted to make something different than cookies or muffins in the kitchen. Flipping through Jennifer Perillo’s cookbook, Homemade with Love, mom discovered this quick and easy recipe for croutons!

Not only are they well seasoned, these croutons are easy and quick to make, they are impressive to serve. Mom made these for dinner, served a top a caesar side salad, fresh bread and spaghetti.

Did I mention Italian food is my favorite? Enjoy!!

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Serve croutons with a caesar side salad.
parmesan skillet croutons
Parmesan Skillet Croutons

 

Parmesan Skillet Croutons
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2 cups
Source: Homemade with Love by Jennifer Perillo
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (80 grams) cubed day-old baguette
  • 1 tsp. (2 grams) finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 Tbsp. (6 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
  1. Toss all ingredients together in a bowl until the bread cubes are well coated.
  2. Heat an 8-inch (20 cm) skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned bread cubes to the pan and cook, turning occasionally, until golden all over, 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

 

Toasty Parmesan Chickpea Salad

This toasty parmesan chickpea salad is my new favorite side dish. It is absolutely delicious! It has a nice crunch from the green peppers, red onion, and bacon that has been sizzled in salty bacon drippings. It is sprinkled with freshly grated Parmesan cheese that holds everything together like glue. With a pleasing flavor, my husband even enjoyed this… and I’m not sure he’s even eaten chickpeas before!
In terms of nutrition, the health benefits of chickpeas are numerous. Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans are high in protein and fiber. They also are a healthy source of carbohydrates for people with insulin sensitivity or diabetes. Chickpeas are low in fat, have a healthful source of zinc and folate, and also assist in lowering cholesterol in the bloodstream!
Give these a try and let me know what you think! From now on, I will always have a can of chickpeas in my pantry to make this savory salad. Let me know what you think! Enjoy!
After roasting chickpeas, saute onions and peppers for 2 minutes.

Add chickpeas, toast for another 5-7 minutes.

Add bacon, Parmesan and parsley. Serve immediately.

Toasty Parmesan Chickpea Salad
Ingredients
1 (15 oz.) can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 slice of bacon, chopped
1/4 red onion, chopped
1/4 green bell pepper, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
bunch of fresh chopped parsley (I didn’t have, so omitted)

Directions
1. Heat a skillet on medium heat. Add bacon and fry until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel, leaving grease in the skillet.
2. Add onions and green peppers to the bacon fat, and cook for 2 minutes.
3. Make sure chickpeas are dry and toss with paprika and pepper. Add to onions and peppers, stirring and toasting for 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for one minute.
4. Turn off heat and add Parmesan cheese and parsley. Sprinkle on bacon. Serve immediately.

Yield: 2 servings
Recipe from: How Sweet It Is

Parmesan Puffs

Despite not having a photo, I wanted to share with you a recipe for Parmesan Puffs. A puff is has a layer of bread soaked in egg mixture in the middle with the surrounding layers rolled in melted butter and parmesan cheese. My mom and I absolutely LOVE these, but the rest of our family won’t eat them…my dad hates all cheese, my sister is extremely health conscious, and my husband is not a big bread eater. Whether you make these or not is completely up to you…I strongly recommend it. They freeze well and when I want one, I just pop it into the oven for 20 minutes.

 

Parmesan Puffs
Serves: 9
Ingredients
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 9 slices firm white bread, crusts removed (I like Pepperidge Farm)
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Beat egg and milk together in a small dish. Soak 3 slices of bread in milk mixture, then place each between 2 slices of fresh bread. (This creates 3 “sandwiches” with the soaked bread in the center of each).
  2. Press gently on the top of each sandwich to be sure slices stick together.
  3. Cut each sandwich into 3-4 pieces.
  4. Roll each piece in melted butter, then in parmesan.
  5. Place on cookie sheet and chill at least 4 hours. (Can be frozen at this point. Leave on cookie sheet until frozen, then store in plastic bags).
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until very lightly browned. Roll the puffs every 5 minutes so they brown more evenly. Add 5 minutes if frozen.