What is a salad without some croutons added to it. These 2 recipes are good for just about any type of salad; one is a lower fat version. See also my recipe for Caesar Salad With Homemade Parmesan Croutons.
- 3 cups French bread, cubed
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. dried basil
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
Toss bread cubes with oil and butter. Combine rest of ingredients and sprinkle over the bread; toss to coat. Bake on an ungreased baking sheet in a preheated 375 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Whole Wheat Croutons:
- 4 slices (2 cups) whole grain bread, cut into cubes
- extra virgin olive oil spray
- 1/3 tsp. sea salt
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. Herbes de Provence (basil, fennel seed, lavender, rosemary, sage and thyme)
Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees. Place bread cubes on a foil lined baking sheet. Lightly spray both sides of the bread cubes with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with the rest of the ingredients. Bake 8-10 minutes or until crispy. I just love the smell and taste of Herbes de Provence – I am sure you will too.
Seasoning Combinations:
Spicy:
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- few dashes hot pepper sauce
Parmesan:
- 3 tbsp. Parmesan, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Garlic-Sage:
- 1 tsp. sage
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Ranch:
- 2 tbsp. dry ranch salad dressing mix