Sometimes it’s the attention to something small that takes a dish from average to extraordinary. Like making your own croutons.

Homemade croutons are fabulous – they don’t taste like cardboard! – and are a fraction of the cost of the store-bought kind. And, importantly, they are a cinch to make. Just cut some stale bread into cubes. Heat a little oil in a large skillet. Toast the bread cubes in the skillet, tossing constantly until they are lightly toasted. Then, while the croutons are still hot, toss with some spice. In this case, powdered spices are better than fresh – and cheaper! Some of my favorites are garlic powder, cumin and smoked paprika.

Try this and you’ll never go back to the boxed cardboard variety!

– posted by Donna