Stale Bread? Don't throw it out!

I went to make a sandwich the other day and (of course) the loaf of bread was stale.  The bread was hard enough I didn't want to eat a sandwich from it, but it wasn't growing anything...yet.

Since i hate throwing food away (so wasteful!); it was time to make some croutons.

How hard is it to make croutons? I've already got them in the oven cooking while i blog... in other words-- it's not. 

Croutons are one of those things that I would never buy at the store, partly for all the added chemical preservatives, and partly because well, they're just not a salad staple for me.  But when it comes to throwing away food... it's time to figure out how to use whatever you've got.

Here's how to start: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.   Total cooking time is 15-20 minutes, depending on your oven. (Mine turn out best at ~8 minutes per side)

Ingredients: 

• Stale Bread (I used about 4 slices)
• Sea Salt
• Black Pepper
• Italian Seasonings (or other seasonings of your choice)
• 1-2 tbsp. Olive oil or Butter  

*Note: I usually choose plant based oils vs. butter due to the lower saturated fat content of these oils.  In other words, they're more heart healthy!

Instructions: 

1. Chop bread into about cubes about 1" x 1".
2. Place chopped bread into a bowl and drizzle with oil.
3. Mix well, until each bread is lightly coated with oil.
4. Add in salt, pepper, and seasonings and mix well-- each piece should be evenly coated.
5. Place on a baking sheet and bake for ~10 minutes on each side.
   (Mine turn out best at ~8 minutes per side)
6.  Allow to cool.  

Storage: 

I have stored these for a maximum of 3 weeks in a ziploc baggie at room temperature, and had fresh, crunchy croutons! A word of caution to anyone eating things they have stored longer....

for Spicy Croutons: 

•  swap Italian seasonings for cayenne pepper- pairs well with Chili and garnishing soups

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