Home-made croutons are so addictive I eat them without the salad.
Garlic
Dice 5 slices firm white bread or 6 slices French bread into ½-inch cubes. In
large frying pan over medium heat, heat 2 tbsp each butter and olive oil. Mix in
1 clove garlic (minced or pressed). Stir in bread cubes. Transfer to a baking sheet.
Bake at 300°F until lightly browned and crisp (25-30 minutes). Makes about 2 cups.
Parmesan
To butter mixture add ¼ tsp paprika. Add ¼ cup grated Parmesan with bread cubes.
Herbed
To butter mixture add ¼ tsp each dried oregano, thyme, crumbled rosemary and basil.
Sesame
Omit garlic. Substitute 1 tbsp sesame oil for the 1 tbsp of the olive oil. Add 1 tbsp sesame
seeds with bread cubes.
Bacon-Onion
Omit garlic. Substitute 2 tbsp bacon drippings for butter. To oil mixture add ½ tsp onion powder
and 1 tsp poppy seeds.
Dilled Rye
Substitute 6 slices rye bread for the white or French bread. To butter mixture add 1 tsp dried dill weed.