Do you love croutons in your salads? Do you kids always munch on them before dinner? Here are 3 great ways to make them at home.
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Many of us are trying to "lighten" up our meals and eat more vegetables and salads. Eating a salad doesn't have to be a bore and you don't have to sacrifice the crunch of some of the yummy toppings that you love!
When you are choose which momstown salad to make, be sure to try one of these delicious homemade and lower fat options for croutons. Get the kids involved in tearing the bread, mixing it up and laying it on the baking sheet.
1. Lower Fat Recipe from SkinnyTaste (only 1 pt for 1/4 cup on Weight Watchers)
Ingredients
olive oil spray
6 slices 100% whole grain bread
1 tsp garlic powder
sea salt, to taste
3-4 tsp dried Italian seasoning (or dried parsley)
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
fresh black pepper, to taste
Directions
Preheat over to 300°F. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
Remove the crust and cut the bread into small cubes.
Combine the garlic powder, salt and Italian seasoning in a medium bowl.
Spread the bread cubes on prepared cookie sheet in a single layer. Spray the top with more oil to coat and top with half of the seasoning and half of the shredded cheese; season with black pepper then bake for 14 minutes or until dry, crispy, and golden brown.
Turn the croutons over, spray a little more oil and sprinkle with remaining seasoning, black pepper and shredded cheese; bake for an additional 15 minutes until done. Store croutons in air-tight container or ziplock bag. Makes 4 cups. Enjoy!
2. Super Easy Basic Homemade Croutons from Allrecipes.com.
Ingredients
15 slices bread
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons garlic salt (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Remove crusts from stale bread slices. Brush bread on both sides with melted butter. Cut bread slices up into small cubes. Sprinkle with garlic salt (if desired). Arrange cubes on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes or until browned. Let cool. Store croutons in a covered container or plastic bag. Serve in soups or salads.
3. Gourmet Croutons from Savoury Sweet Life
Ingredients
6 slices regular, gluten-free, or low-carb bread (fresh or day old), crusts trimmed and cubed
3 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder and a pinch of salt OR ½ teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
Directions
Preheat over to 300 degrees.
Mix melted butter, garlic powder/salt, and parsley flakes until garlic powder is dissolved and mixture is clump free.
Toss butter mixture with cubed bread in a medium bowl until cubes are evenly coated.
Spread coated bread cubes on a cookie sheet in a single layer.
Bake for 15 minutes and check to see if they are dry, crispy, and golden brown. Stir the croutons around and bake for an additional 15 minutes until done.
Store croutons in air-tight container or ziplock bag. Enjoy!
Happy Salad Season!
