CROUTONS

You are making up a fabulous salad and you want to throw on some croutons. Don't go out to the store and buy the stale ol' box of croutons, make your own fresh, it is really simple.

Take out a few pieces of fresh bread, and using your pizza cutter or a sharp knife cut it into 1/2 inch cubes.

Spread them out onto a shallow baking pan and bake in a 350º preheated oven for 30 minutes or so until they are golden brown.

Remove from the oven and let cool on wire racks.

If you want to spice it up a bit, melt a tablespoon of butter for each slice of bread and toss your bread cubes in it before baking.

Then toss in 1/4 tsp garlic powder and a dash of salt for each slice of bread.

Bake in a preheated 300º oven for about 30 minutes.

Let cool on wire racks and store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.

To perk up a bit before each use, reheat in a preheated 300º oven for 5-8 minutes until crisp again.

I allow about 2/3 piece of bread for each serving because I just love croutons!