Rye Croutons Food

CHEESY POTATO AND KALE GRATIN WITH RYE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 350ºF. Arrange bread slices on a rimmed baking sheet and bake, flipping once halfway through, until dry and lightly toasted, 15-20 minutes. Let cool. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag and break into irregular, 1/2"-1" pieces. Transfer to a medium bowl; set aside.
• Meanwhile, wash and spin-dry kale, then layer between paper towels or a large clean kitchen towel and pat dry.
• Mix Gruyère and Parmesan in a medium bowl. Shingle one-quarter of potatoes in 3 or 4 rows, slightly overlapping, in bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle with one-quarter of thyme, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Top with 2 cups kale and one-quarter of cheese mixture. Repeat 2 more times. Shingle remaining potatoes over cheese; top with 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/8 tsp. pepper, and remaining thyme. Reserve remaining kale and cheese.
• Stir cream, garlic, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper in a liquid measuring cup. Pour evenly over potatoes.
• Bake gratin 40 minutes. Cover with foil and continue to bake until cream is bubbling and thick and potatoes are tender when pierced with a paring knife, 35-45 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, toss reserved croutons with 2 Tbsp. oil in a medium bowl. Toss remaining kale with remaining 1 Tbsp. oil. Top gratin with kale, remaining cheese, then croutons, allowing kale pieces to peek through. Bake gratin until croutons are golden brown and exposed kale edges are well-crisped, about 15 minutes more. Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving.
• Do Ahead
• Bread can be toasted 3 days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Kale can be torn, washed, and patted dry 3 days ahead. Wrap in paper towels, place in a resealable plastic bag, and chill.
• Gratin can be made 1 day ahead. Let cool, then wrap tightly in plastic and chill. Bring to room temperature, cover with foil, and warm in a 300ºF oven until heated through, 15-20 minutes. Uncover and continue to warm to re-crisp croutons and exposed kale edges, about 5 minutes.

POTATO LEEK SOUP WITH SMOKED SALMON AND RYE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Over medium heat, saute onions and garlic in a 1 gallon stock pot. Add diced potatoes and fresh thyme. Cover with stock and simmer until potatoes are soft. Puree with hand blender. Slice leek into thin circles and fold into potato soup and simmer until leeks are soft but still bright green. Finish soup with cream, and salt and pepper.
• Cut circles out of four slices of fresh rye bread. Brush with olive oil and toast. Garnish with smoked salmon.
• Pour potato leek soup evenly into four soup bowls and garnish with smoked salmon crouton and fresh parsley.

HAM AND CHEESE SALAD WITH RYE BREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the rye bread cubes with 2 Tablespoons of the canola oil. Bake for about 15 minutes, stirring once, until the bread is lightly toasted. Let cool.
• In a bowl, whisk the mustard with the mayo and vinegar. Gradually whisk the remaining 3 Tablespoons of canola oil and season with pepper to taste. Add the chopped celery, ham, Gruyere, snipped chives and the rye bread croutons. Toss well and serve immediately.
• Note: the rye bread croutons can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to 1 day.