Garlic Croutons

In the fun with baguette theme, I thought I would share my super simple recipe to make your own garlic croutons.

Ingredients:

• Bread or baguette, I used Salted Ciabatta loaf, artisan or crusty loaves work best
• Butter
• Garlic
• Salt
  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, if other cooking you are doing calls for a higher or lower temp, that is fine too.

Cube bread 1/2 - 3/4 inch cubes using a sharp serrated knife.

In skillet use about 1 TBLS per slice of bread you have cut up, melt in pan with garlic, I used about 1 TBLS for 4 slices of bread.

When butter is melted add bread cubes and mix to coat thoroughly, then let the bread and garlic brown up a bit.

Place in a single layer on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with salt or other spices put in preheated oven for 20 minutes, if you are able turn once during baking. Croutons should be crisp.

Additional add ins:

• Cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella, sprinkle when going into the oven
• Basil, Parsley - if you are using in cooking or in salad dressing as a nice compliment add to your croutons
• Rosemary - again depending on the salad or dish, makes a nice compliment to pork

Great for snacking or as a side dish, my 5 year old LOVES these, in fact of this meal of chicken nuggets and grapes they were the first to go!