This is what happens when you’re really craving something and the store bought stuff just won’t do. You make it yourself and think, “Why don’t I do this more often?” I was craving a salad this past weekend and well, no store bough crouton would do!

With that said, I can’t claim this as my ‘own’, but its a variation of a crouton recipe that I got from my friend Angie a few years ago. Add to it what you’d like, or take away. Just about anything will work, but the key to getting them crispy is using day old bread and putting it under the broiler on low for about 30-40 minutes.

First you’re gonna start with your Pugliese bread. I used one loaf of the Roasted Garlic Pugliese Bread from Costco because it was what I had in the house. Typically I use the plain variety, but I did like the twist with the Roasted Garlic.

Gather your ingredients: olive oil, kosher salt, garlic powder, basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, Italian seasoning (yes, I know it kinda repeats with the basil, oregano etc) and crushed red pepper.

I sliced the Pugliese in half to begin with, an electric knife works great for this dense bread.

I started off with a bread knife, but found that using kitchen scissors actually worked a bit better to get the smaller pieces I wanted.

Once you’ve cubed the loaf, put it in a large bowl.

Mix the oil, and dry ingredients together in a small measuring cup.

Pour over bread and stir away till it’s evenly coated.

Put it on a cookie sheet and place under the broiler on low. Broil for ten minutes and then stir. Continue till golden brown.

Voila! Toast beautifly! The smells alone will make you drool!

Top onto your favorite salad, use it in soups or just munch on them by themselves!

Homemade Croutons

1 loaf Pugliese bread, cubed

1/4 c to 1/2 c Olive oil

1 t Kosher salt

1 t Garlic powder (don’t use garlic salt, the croutons will come out way too salty)

1 t Basil

1 t Rosemary

1 t Thyme

1 t Dry Italian Seasoning (I know it kinda is a repeat with all the seasonings, but it’s the way I like it)

1 t Oregano

1 t Crushed Red Peppers (I used the finely ground Cayenne pepper)

Place cubed bread in large bowl. Mix dry ingredients with olive oil and pour over bread. Mix well and spread out onto cookie sheet. Place under broiler on low for about 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes till golden brown.