When you put together the words Homemade Crunchy Herb & Cheese Croutons do you get a little hungry? Do you feel like going to the fridge and making your favorite salad and topping it with these little crunch bits? I don’t know if you know how EASY they are to make and how much better they taste over the store bought ones…I do know that once you make them and taste them you won’t be buying them any more…trust me on that! So here is the second installment of The Cottage Market’s Back to Basics Series…Homemade Crunchy Herb & Cheese Croutons.
Are you ready to make some Homemade Crunchy Herb & Cheese Croutons!!! It’s so easy you won’t believe it and they are so yummy your family is going to LOVE you for making them!
Ingredients:
1 Small loaf of Italian or French bread
3-4 tablespoons of your favorite olive oil
2 tablespoons of your favorite finely minced herbs (basil, thyme, rosemary, parsley, oregano) or can use your favorite Italian herb dried seasonings
1 clove of garlic micro planed
2 tablespoons of finely grated cheese such as Parmesan, Pecorino Romana…you know which one you love or if you don’t like cheese…just omit!
Directions:
Slice the bread in approximately 3/4″ slices…then cube the slices into 3/4″ cubes. Then place your cubes into a mixing bowl…drizzle with your olive oil and toss until all the cubes are coated…then sprinkle your herbs and cheese and toss once again…they will look like this…
All dressed up for their date with a 400 degree pre-heated oven for 12-15 minutes depending on your oven…take a peek after 10 minutes…you are looking for a nice light golden brown…they will look like this when they are ready to come out and cool! You know you are going to have to eat one before they cool…you just have to!
Now they are ready to top a yummy salad with Homemade Creamy Ranch Dressing…or maybe a scrumptious Caesar Salad or any salad! Croutons are fun just to pop as a snack too.
Croutons make a fabulous topping for so many foods…have you ever tried them on top of your favorite Mac & Cheese? You can also take these and put them into the food processor and make the most fabulous bread crumbs!
Homemade Crunchy Herb & Cheese Croutons are versatile and yummy…they keep nicely for 10 days when sealed tightly but I don’t think they will last!
I want you to know that this method works fabulously with all kinds of breads…Rye…Pumpernickle…Sour Dough…White…Wheat and the list goes on! I love it when my grocery story has Artisan breads on the day old rack and I snatch them up for like $.50 a loaf…I cube them and pop them into freezer bags so they are ready to create some yummy croutons with or bread crumbs any time!  My family LOVES them with a blend of breads. So delicious…versatile and easy…try them…you are going to have a new family favorite on your hands! ENJOY…Bon Appetit!
(((((HUGS)))))
Homemade Crunchy Herb & Cheese Croutons