As in homemade croutons.
Now why have I not made these all along?
Especially when all I did was cut up a loaf of fresh bread into VERY uneven cubes and put them in a bowl... drizzled olive oil over and sprinkled seasonings that I had on hand like basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, and kosher salt. I tossed the cubes around in the bowl with my hand and then baked them on a cookie sheet @ 350 for about 20 minutes.
No more boxed croutons for me!
;-)
Kim
oh yum!!
Posted by: sarita | March 08, 2011 at 12:26 AM
A perfect snack if you ask me..Yum! Come say hi ;D
Posted by: Julie Harward | March 08, 2011 at 12:39 AM
What kind of bread did you use, Kim? They look great!
Posted by: Ricki Jill Treleaven | March 08, 2011 at 12:48 AM
You are very Clever, Kim, to be smartly frugal....with the added benefit of more flavor!
:0)
Joni
Posted by: Joni | March 08, 2011 at 01:02 AM
You have inspired me to make some too!
Posted by: TheCottageGirl | March 08, 2011 at 02:31 AM
Hi Kim, those croutons would be amazing in a Chicken Caesar salad yummo!!! it's 9.45pm here and those croutons have made me a little peckish enjoy!! Trish xox ;)
Posted by: Trish Rowley | March 08, 2011 at 05:44 AM
Ricki, I used a fresh loaf of tuscany bread from the bakery in the grocery story but you can use any loaf of bread... like sourdough or French, etc.
Trish... I LOVE the term peckish! Now what does that mean? ;-)
xo,
Me
Posted by: Daisy Cottage | March 08, 2011 at 06:28 AM
Those croutons look yummy and probably taste MUCH better than the boxed ones ~ mmmmmmmm ~ ;-)
Posted by: Vintage Gal | March 08, 2011 at 06:46 AM
Good Morning, Kim,
I love these too...and they're perfect for using up a loaf of bread. Since we are empty nesters, we don't usually use a whole loaf of bread for toast and sammies.
Yours are a perfect golden brown. Makes me want to make them tonight! Thanks for the reminder.
Have a terrific Tuesday. ~Natalie
Posted by: Tins and Treasures | March 08, 2011 at 06:50 AM
Your croutons look delicious! We've made croutons here at home and found they don't keep so well even stored in an air-tight bag or container.
Happy Mardi Gras! We're making a King Cake for the first time today!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | March 08, 2011 at 08:10 AM
Those look scrumptious! I'll have to make extra bread dough for those!
Posted by: daisy | March 08, 2011 at 08:20 AM
I am going to try these out!!! Hugs dear!!
Posted by: Valarie@wwwglimpseofmyworld.blogspot.com | March 08, 2011 at 09:22 AM
ahhhh - nothing better for ones palette than homemade! :)
Posted by: linda moczan | March 08, 2011 at 09:33 AM
I agree. It's a great way to use up the ends of bread and aside from salads, I love croutons in my soup too.
Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Posted by: Susan Freeman | March 08, 2011 at 10:32 AM
I was pondering the idea of a salad tonight and this would just make it perfect. I don't care for boxed croutons, but I love homemade. Yours look amazing!
Posted by: Melesa Garrison | March 08, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Oh man, I wanna eat those.
Posted by: Gloria | March 08, 2011 at 10:50 AM
They look delicious!!!
Posted by: Tammy B's Knees | March 08, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Those croutons look delish! My favorite olive oil is Bertolli. You could use those as a base for stuffing veggies, like peppers or mushrooms. Add a little cooked meat (or not) and some cheese. Yum! xoxox P.S. I also was amused by the word 'peckish' :-)
Posted by: Barbara F. | March 08, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Oh those look amazing. I could eat them like potato chips. Not good. Okay. Moving on...
Posted by: Vee | March 08, 2011 at 10:58 AM
they truly are insanely better, aren't they?
Posted by: Sami Jo | March 08, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Hi Kim- I have done that many times too- but found eliminating the thyme and adding garlic powder was much better. If you havent' tried that be sure to next time.
Yum, they look delicious! I use Bertolli too.
Happy Fat Tuesday!
Posted by: Michele | March 08, 2011 at 12:26 PM
your right kim about making your own - i usually prepare home made burrito's, this time i opted to buy store bought - we all got a bad case of heart burn - home made please, anyday - have a wonderful and bright day!
love ya, maria - cottage feel -
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Posted by: maria | March 08, 2011 at 12:28 PM
You're all so much better than me. I love to eat croutons straight up! They're like a perfect little appetizer; have them later with a good red and voila - happiness! They look fantastic! A friend recommended a great red if anyone's looking for a new wine - Apothic Red. Cheers!
Judy
Posted by: Judy A | March 08, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Hi there! I have never prepared home-made croutons before but you have inspired me to try it. Sounds very easy and looks divine! My husband has been feeling a little under the weather with a cold lately. These would be great to put on top of soup as well as in a salad. I'll stop by our local market today and pick up some bread. Have a wonderful day today. I was reading your "ask me" section and that was so nice of you to take the time to answer all the questions. Shows how caring you are...
By the way, I married my high school sweetheart as well. We dated the last couple of years and came back together 13 years ago. The story will appear in one of my future posts. You and I have a lot in common and know we would have been close friends had we met when I lived in Central Florida. I am enjoying our "blogging friendship" and wish you a beautiful day today! xoxo Love, Kim
Posted by: Bluebirdsandbutterflies | March 08, 2011 at 12:54 PM
I need to try this! My daughter and I used to make them all the time! Thx for letting me remember something! lol
Have a terrific Tuesday Miss Kim! <3
Posted by: Jackie | March 08, 2011 at 12:58 PM
I just bought that same olive oil at the store yesterday!
Looks good! Love from Okla, Cindy
Posted by: Cindy | March 08, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Mmmm...when my son was little he would think he was such a big shot when we would go out to a restaurant to eat and he would ask, all by himself for an order of croutons!! I will have to try and make these for him!
Posted by: Sandi ~ A Cottage Muse | March 08, 2011 at 03:03 PM
peck-ish: adjective Chiefly British Informal .
1. somewhat hungry: By noon we were feeling a bit peckish
Hi Kim! Love to learn a new word. Your croutons look delish. I have made once, but used English muffins. I also wanted to tell you I have made your summer salad a few times, and it is ALWAYS a hit!! I owe you one for that!
Posted by: Lisa Mc. | March 08, 2011 at 04:13 PM
Hi Kim. sorry its the Aussie slang coming out in me I cant help it sometimes lol ;) peckish means a little bit hungry...like a bird pecks at something. Trish xox ;)
Posted by: Trish Rowley | March 08, 2011 at 04:54 PM
OMG! They look delicious. I am going to try your "Daisy Cottage Croutons". On my way to store as soon as I can get my purse:>)
xoxoxo,
Renie
Posted by: Renie Cee | March 08, 2011 at 05:15 PM
I love to make homemade croutons! I melt a stick of butter, add some fresh minced garlic and fresh chopped parsley. Toss over cubed sourdough and bake. So so delicious. I haven't bought store croutons in over a year!
Posted by: Michelle Payne | March 08, 2011 at 07:21 PM
Hi Kim, The Crouton recipe sounds delicious , you are a very clever Lady, take care .
Posted by: Lois Lightweight | March 08, 2011 at 10:24 PM
Looks good! I'll have to remember this. :)
Posted by: Rhonda | March 08, 2011 at 10:56 PM
hi Kim!! we have been making our own croutons for the past several months; our local Kroger (any store does this I bet) was selling cut up bread cubes from day old bread; each HUGE bag was $1. you can't buy boxed croutons for that price and they are "to die for" warm right out of the oven. Check around the bakery section or wherever they place the marked down bread items and see if they have some bags for sale! good luck!!!
did Marley and Maggie get some?
Posted by: Rae Lange (raerae) | March 09, 2011 at 11:57 AM
I love homemade croutons. Goodness, now I'm craving croutons...and I just had lunch! :o)
Posted by: La | March 10, 2011 at 01:10 PM
Those croutons look soooo good!!
Guess I shall just have to make some to go with the salad for tomorrow
Thanks for the inspiration
Posted by: janet | March 15, 2011 at 06:04 PM