Homemade Croutons
Description
Perfect for the table and with drinks. Since stores charge quite a bit for various snacks, you have to make them yourself at home. And actually, it's not even a shame. Because if everything were sold for next to nothing, perhaps most of those ideas that come during creative moments wouldn't have occurred to you. For me, this happens when I want to find the optimal solution to the task at hand. I calculated the cost of bread and did the math. After trying once, I make croutons exclusively myself. They're both tastier and cheaper. Serve with greens and sauce.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
For my croutons, I chose black bread. I had a loaf of Borodinsky that had been sitting around awhile. That’s the one I’ll use. Croutons are best made from bread that isn’t quite fresh. Then it dries faster and is easier to cut.
- 2
Step 2
I slice Borodinsky bread, as usual, into my usual pieces. After that, I stack the pieces in groups of four. If you're not confident in your knife, be sure to sharpen it. Otherwise, cut each piece separately.
- 3
Step 3
I cut the croutons into fairly long sticks. I like that shape better (especially with rye bread). It doesn’t matter how you cut the bread. Everything will bake in the oven. I arrange the bread sticks in rows on an oiled baking sheet.
- 4
Step 4
Place the baking sheet in the oven at 180°C. Preheat the oven first so it’s easier to keep track of the time. If you want a crispy crust, put the tray on the lowest rack. Watch the croutons so they don’t burn — it happens fast. Take the tray out after 5–7 minutes and check the underside of the bread. Flip each piece and put it back to finish toasting.
- 5
Step 5
Any croutons become a dish if you dress them with a dressing sauce. For this I take olive oil and sprinkle it with fine salt and black pepper. I peel the garlic and grate it on a fine grater. I mix all the ingredients into the olive oil. The sauce is ready.
- 6
Step 6
I take out the golden croutons. I get a deep bowl and put them in it while they’re still hot. I pour the freshly made sauce over them. I mix and let them cool.
- 7
Step 7
When the time comes, you can always pull such a simple snack from the pantry. Croutons are a perfect match for any get-together. They also make a nice garnish for bouillon or soup.