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Pantry Dinner Salad With Polenta Croutons

This vibrant pantry dinner salad is a masterclass in textures, combining crisp seasonal leaves with the salty crunch of homemade Parmesan polenta croutons. As a versatile vegetarian dish, it makes brilliant use of cupboard staples like olives and pickles, paired with whatever fresh, crunchy vegetables you have to hand in the fridge. The contrast between the warm, cheesy croutons and the sharp, mustard-led vinaigrette creates a satisfying meal that feels far more sophisticated than the sum of its parts.

Perfect for a quick midweek supper or a weekend lunch, this recipe is easily adapted to suit your tastes. You can swap the radicchio for romaine or escarole, and include shop-bought cured meats if you aren't following a strictly meat-free diet. Preparing the polenta in advance makes this a truly speedy assembly job, offering a nutritious and high-fibre option that doesn't skimp on bold, savoury flavours.

Ingredients for Pantry Dinner Salad With Polenta Croutons

  • 60 ml extra jungfruolja

  • 60ml red or white wine vinegar

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon or whole grain mustard

  • 1/2 teaspoons honey or agave nectar

  • 1/4 teskedar kosher salt

  • 1/4 teskedar nymalen svartpeppar

  • 450g still-warm Big-Batch Parmesan Polenta

  • 50g finely grated Parmesan

  • 2 matskedar extra jungfruolivolja

  • 1/2 red onion or 1 shallot, thinly sliced

  • 1 (heaping) cup thinly sliced raw crunchy vegetables (such as fennel, radishes, and/or celery)

  • 1/4 teskedar kosher salt

  • 1 head of radicchio, escarole, or cos, leaves separated, torn into bite-size pieces

  • 60g thinly sliced salami, prosciutto, or other cured meat (optional)

  • 240ml olives, pickles, peperoncini, or marinated artichoke hearts, sliced if desired

  • 80g (loosely packed) tender herbs (such as basil, parsley, mint, and/or dill)

How to make Pantry Dinner Salad With Polenta Croutons

Whisk together oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl (or shake together in a small jar). Set aside.

Pour polenta into a square or rectangular airtight container and spread into an even layer. Let cool, then cover and chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 week. (The polenta will set into a solid block.)

Turn out polenta onto a cutting board and cut into 1” cubes. Place Parmesan in a wide shallow bowl and, working in batches, toss cubes in cheese to coat. Using your hands, press cheese against edges of polenta to adhere, then transfer to a plate.

Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high. Working in batches as needed, place as many polenta cubes as will fit in an even layer with 1” space between each in skillet. Let fry, undisturbed, until bottoms are crisp and browned, about 4 minutes. Resist the urge to move the cubes before 3 minutes have passed to avoid pulling the Parmesan coating off the polenta. Turn over one at a time, making sure cubes don’t stick together, and repeat cooking process with opposite sides of cubes. Transfer to a plate.

Toss onion, crunchy vegetables, and salt in a large bowl. Add radicchio, salami (if using), olives, and herbs and toss to combine. Drizzle reserved dressing over and toss gently to coat. Add warm croutons and gently toss again.

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  • 16 jan 2026 | Ursprungligen publicerad

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