Delicious, Crunchy Croutons

Croutons are one of the time-honored ways to use up any type of bread and muffins you have.

Ingredients:
1 cup cubed, stale bread or rolls
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 tsp seasoning: either onion salt, garlic, grated cheese, poultry seasoning, paprika, thyme or tarragon

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Stir the seasoning of your choice into the melted butter. Toss the flavored butter with the cubed bread, making sure each piece is coated. Place in a shallow baking dish.  Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the pan at least once during baking to ensure that all the bread is crisp and lightly browned. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 months and replenish as needed. Shake vigorously before dipping a portion out of the container to distribute all the different flavors.

Tex-Mex Flavored Croutons
1/2 cup cubed stale bread
1/2 cup nacho chips crumbled
1 tablespoon mexican seasonings mix
2 tablespoons corn oil

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Stir the seasoning of your choice into the melted butter. Toss the flavored butter with the cubed bread, making sure each piece is coated. Place in a shallow baking dish. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the pan at least once during baking to ensure that all the bread is crisp and lightly browned. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 months and replenish as needed. Shake vigorously before dipping a portion out of the container to distribute all the different flavors.

Italian-flavored Croutons
1 cup cubed, stale bread
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp basil
2 Tbsp olive oil

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Stir the seasoning of your choice into the melted butter. Toss the flavored butter with the cubed bread, making sure each piece is coated. Place in a shallow baking dish. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the pan at least once during baking to ensure that all the bread is crisp and lightly browned. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 months and replenish as needed. Shake vigorously before dipping a portion out of the container to distribute all the different flavors.

Cheesy Soup Croutons
1 cubed, stale bread
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Cheddar cheese, grated
2 Tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Stir the seasoning of your choice into the melted butter. Toss the flavored butter with the cubed bread, making sure each piece is coated. Place in a shallow baking dish. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the pan at least once during baking to ensure that all the bread is crisp and lightly browned. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 months and replenish as needed. Shake vigorously before dipping a portion out of the container to distribute all the different flavors.