Seasoned Croutons

By Hklbrries

Once you've tasted these crunchy seasoned croutons, you'll never throw out day-old French bread again.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound day-old French bread (about 3 cups)
• 1/4 cup butter (or olive or salad oil)
• 1 tsp herbs de Provence (or Italian herb seasoning or 1/4 tsp each dry basil and oregano, thyme, and marjoram leaves)
• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed

Preparation

Step 1

Cut day-old bread into 1/2-inch cubes (you should have about 3 cups). Spread evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in a 300 F oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside; reduce oven temperature to 275 F.

In a wide frying pan, melt butter or margarine over medium heat; or heat olive oil or salad oil. Remove from heat and stir in 2 or 3 of the following: herbs de Provence or Italian herb seasoning (or basil, oregano, thyme and marjoram leaves); Worcestershire sauce; Parmesan cheese; garlic.

Add toasted bread cubes, mixing lightly until evenly coated. Spread on baking sheet and bake until crisp and lightly browned (about 30 more minutes). Let cool. Store in a covered container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for up to a month.