Joy the Baker

Buttered Crouton Salad with avocado and smoked salmon

by 81 Comments

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It’s a beautiful day when I start preparing a salad by taking out a crusty baguette and butter.

It’s a beautiful day when sunlight shines through my beer.

It’s a lovely day when I can successfully keep my giant kitten away from my smoked Alaskan salmon.

Also… it’s totally a wonderful day when I can find something simple and inspiring on the internet.  It’s a magical day when I see a person in the car next to me totally rocking out to Kelly Clarkson.  It’s a dang good day when I choose the fastest line at the grocery.

I find that beauty is simple, even if I’m not looking for it.

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Beautiful crusty bread is a highlight in this salad.

As if this bread weren’t delicious enough we’re going to warm it and pan fry it in butter.  Of course then… we’ll sprinkle it with sea salt.

If it is your instinct  to stop there… I totally understand.

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Vinaigrette is one of the easiest and most satisfying things to make.

This vinaigrette features Dijon mustard and salty capers.

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Look at that beautifully creamy vinaigrette!  Can you even believe how pretty that is!?

And YES!  We’re totally adding avocado  too.

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This salad is the marriage of 100% amazing ingredients.  Good lettuce, ripe avocado, dressing that you’re so proud you made yourself, and warm crunchy salty bread.  There’s smoked salmon too.  Beautiful wild caught salmon from Alaska.

With such lovely ingredients… there’s really no way that this can go wrong for you.  It’s beauty, indeed.

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When bread is salad… ooohhh what a wonderful day it is.

I’m so so smitten by this salad.

Actually… I’m really into all sorts of salads.

Here’s a few for you to mull over.

I love you…. and I do totally still love cookies… you know this to be true.

Spinach Feta and Blood Orange Salad

Green Israeli Couscous Salad

Roasted Tomato and Caramelized Onion Salad

Edamame and Toasted Coconut

Buttered Crouton Salad with avocado and smoked salmon

serves 2

Print this Recipe!

For the Dressing:

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon white wine or champagne viniagrette

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon capers, coarsely chopped

salt and pepper to taste

For the Salad:

1 small baguette sliced into about 12 thick slices, then sliced in half into half moon shapes

2 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons olive oil

Salad greens, enough for 2 generous servings

1/2 ripe Haas avocado, sliced

enough smoked salmon for 2 generous servings, in bite size pieces

coarse sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper

To make the dressing, combine mustard, vinegar, and lemon juice in a small bowl.  Whisk with a fork to combine.  Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly.  The slow drizzle and whisking will emulsify the dressing.  Add the capers.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Set aside.

To make the Salad, heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 teaspoon oil in a medium sautee pan over medium heat.  Once butter is melted, add half of the bread pieces to the pan.  Cook until toasted, then flip and cook until toasted.  Remove from the pan, add the remaining butter and olive oil, and cook the remaining bread pieces.

On a serving plate, arrange salad greens.  Carefully drizzle as much dressing as you’s like onto the greens.  Toss to coat.  Top greens with sliced avocado, and smoked salmon pieces.  Top with warm bread pieces.  Sprinkle the salad with salt and pepper and serve immediately.  

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Sarah

    Wow, this looks so delicious! Never heard of the crusty bread served in salad thing, but I’m sure it’s tasty as well. Gotta try this out! Thanks for great post! I had featured u in the post of Top 7 Unusual Recipes with Bread on AllFreshRecipes, expect ur MORE recipes!

    Reply

  3. OrGreenic

    This recipe looks so refreshing. I love anything with avocado and the capers in the dressing is a wonderful idea. I cant wait to try this recipe, great post.

    Reply

  4. Carrie

    Scrumptious! This salad was light and refreshing. I am so glad I found your blog, there are a ton of recipes I can’t wait to make.
    Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply

  6. Jennie

    I have been dreaming of this salad since you first posted it…this morning I saw some smoked salmon at the Farmer’s Market-and decided that today was the day! I also added some bacon (and fried the bread in the grease!) Awesome Saturday lunch! (and it might be dinner too!)

    Reply

  8. michelle

    I made this tonight and it’s so good! I used Honey Wine Vinegar and added extra for a bit of sweetness. Loved it! The kids had extra croutons on top of their homemade tomato-basil soup.

    Reply

  9. Courtney @ Bake. Eat. Repeat.

    I doubt I’d be hungry by the time I finished nibbling on those croutons! Butterific!

    P.S. I’ve totally hopped on the savory waffle bandwagon. Had a cheese waffle with chorizo and egg last week. In-credible! Thanks for the great idea!

    Reply

  16. LePetitBohemian

    This recipe looks so healthy. I love the idea of incorporating the capers to the dressing. I wonder if the dressing would taste just as great with white balsamic vinegar instead of champagne vinegar or the white wine? What do you think?

    Reply

  17. Stoich91

    Hold the ponies, woman. I just drooled a little on my keyboard, I think. That is the best-looking salad I have seen in a long time! ;D Haha

    Reply

  26. Robin

    Well you have just written the recipe for my go to comfort food salad. Love the combination of the creamy avocado with the smoky salmon and the bite of the dressing. BUT- capers! Of course! That is one of those moments when I think, why haven’t I thought of that? You’ve just elevated my salad to new heights. Thank you!

    Reply

  32. Julia {The Roasted Root}

    Sounds like your day started well to me! I have to admit, my attention was drawn to your beer…”what kind of beer does Joy drink?” was an immediate question on my mind. Your salad looks lovely…huge hunks of avocado with flaky smoked salmon and big ol croutons…perfect if you ask me!

    Reply

  37. Annie

    This looks amazing! Reminded me of your Spinach, Feta and Blood Orange salad, which I made at Easter. My family LOVED it, which made me happy!

    Reply

  41. Marinda

    Omg, I just found your blog and I am totally in love with it!!
    First the peanut-butter banana bread (wich I am gonna make, just tried the combination of peanut butter and banana for the first time today and wow, so yumm) and now this wonderfull salad, can’t wait to try it! I have never eaten avacado but i’m sure it will be nice!
    Can’t wait to read more recipes!

    Reply

  42. Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking

    “I find that beauty is simple, even if I’m not looking for it.” LOVE that, because it is SO true.
    As I was doing dishes yesterday, I looked up to see a lizard on our wall and was fortunate enough to take a picture of him for my post.
    It is the little things and I also think it’s having that attitude of gratitude that makes us appreciate those things so much more.
    It also must be the fact that I’m getting older, too.
    Enjoy your day, Joy, and safe travels to London!!

    Reply

  45. Carla

    Just have to reiterate how much I love the way you write! Its no wonder you are now a published author. Very much looking forward to your next cookbook! Also – love the look of this salad! :)

    Reply

  52. thelittleloaf

    I’m totally smitten by this salad too – I love the combination of creamy avocado and rich salmon, and the addition of crusty buttered bread and salty capers takes this straight to the top of the list!

    Reply

  53. Jessica Ann [peonyfish]

    This looks amazing, I always feel like avocados and smoked salmon are best friends. There should be a children’s cartoon about them. Though I am judging from the sunlight and the beautifully ripened avocado that you are not making this in London.

    Reply

  57. Laura @ She Eats Well

    The comment above took the words out of my mouth (I mean fingers…?). “Buttered croutons.” Nuff said. These days, I put avocado on top of everything…it’s the perfect ingredient, garnish, you name it!

    Reply

  58. Sara

    I can’t wait to make this for my husband this weekend. He will once again be so happy that he has me as his wife. :) Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply

  63. Margarita

    So simple, yet so good. Sometimes this is all we need in life… to appreciate the simplicity in food and what delight it brings. “It’s a beautiful day when sunlight shines on my beer.”

    Reply

  64. Adrienne @ How to Ice a Cake

    I was sincerely hoping for Jules Stevens to photo bomb one of your pictures. I’m kind of in love with him :D I’ve started making my own dressings lately too and it is sooo nice! They aren’t salt explosions and you make so many variations

    Reply

  65. jill

    first of all, i love your blog and the way you write and connect with your readers. i have been reading for a couple of years at least now and you always make me smile :) you write like you are in a thought flow or how you might speak and i do too!! i love it :) a huge congrats on your cookbook!!! so awesome for you! i know you prob get this all of the time but…where is that bowl from??? i’ve seen you also have a matching plate to it and i am in looove!!!

    thanks, jill

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. […] This special recipe of the buttered crouton salad with smoked salmon and avocado is really something! I have never tried to make a salad with avocado as the ingredient. However, it is proven among the most delicious dishes. In fact, I put it on the top of everything for a better flavor and more beautiful appearance. As to this dish, I bet you will fall in love with it with buttered bread salmon, and surely the avocado. I highly recommend you to have a try. You will enjoy a fantastic flavor and never regret for making it! At joythebaker.com […]

    Reply

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