Today, I learned…
- I can hear my kitchen weep after long baking days (or is that me?).
- Trying (and failing) to get rid of a huge spider in the basement and injuring your toe in the process is a little something called Karma.
- I will always feel a twinge of fear when I go into the basement.
- It is possible to eat a whole tub of hummus in 1 day.
- It’s best to pretend that my neighbours can’t see me when I’m photographing my breakfast outside in my robe and slippers.
- Hummus will always make me feel warm and fuzzy inside and should be a food group (see above).
- New Wal-Mart slippers make me happy. Very, very happy. Even if Eric laughs at me.
- I want to invent thigh-high slippers for Northern climates. Slippers are fun and all, but I’m still freezing.
- Sketchie steals all my bobby pins and hair elastics and drops them down the heat vents.
- Making delicious homemade croutons is much easier than I thought!
It has been far too long since I have had homemade croutons on a salad! What gives?
Homemade Croutons
Endlessly customizable.
Adapted from here.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Loaf of fresh Italian or sourdough bread, sliced and cut into 1/2-1 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Earth Balance OR olive oil (I prefer taste of Earth Balance on these though), melted
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp Vegan Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried Parsley
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Kosher salt, to taste (I used about 1/2-3/4 tbsp I think)
Directions: Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Mix together the melted Earth Balance/butter, granulated garlic, paprika, oregano, and pepper in a large bowl. Add in cut up bread pieces and mix well making sure that the bread cubes are evenly coated. Season generously with salt, to taste. Arrange the croutons in a single layer on a baking tray and bake for 15 to 24 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Let cool. makes about 3 cups worth (I used 1/2 loaf of bread).
I only used half a loaf of Italian bread because I wanted to save the rest to make homemade sandwiches to go with our salads.
Slice it up, whatever size you desire!
Cut into however big you like your croutons! I was going for huge ones today. :)
Mix into sauce.
Taste. Mmmm. Adjust seasonings. Mmm.
I like my croutons a bit chewy in the middle so I only cooked them for 15 minutes at 375F.
Today, I also learned that I advanced to Round #6 of Project Food Blog….a big THANK YOU for your votes!!! :) My heart was in my throat as I scrolled down the page to see if I advanced.
Onward to Challenge #6- a packed ROAD TRIP MEAL- that is due Sunday.
What did you learn today?
I learned that I should read your blog BEFORE I go to the store for Caesar Salad makings for a party tonight. I would have blown it out of the water with homemade croutons!
I just bought new slipper socks yesterday! And posted about them today :)
And was recognized in the checkout line by a reader..and I was looking oh-so-not the best. lol.
Photographing things in your undies or nightie is not a bad thing at all. I have done far worse in the name of the blog and have been far less scantily clad leaving neighbors to wonder, no doubt. Ha!
Love the homemade croutons.
I have learned that super hot coffee makes everything better :)
You are totally right about the hummus – it is totally acceptable to eat a tub in a day. Although, my tub is about 30 oz. from Costco – does that count? :)
I’ve definitely eaten a Costco sized tub in a week before. I had to pull half out of the freezer too since I was expecting for the first half to take a while to finish. I love topping salads with it and then mixing it in so the lettuce is coated with it. Mmm. Must go to Costco.
I love hummus too! I actually made my own after seeing it for the first time on your blog a couple of years ago (except I tripled the olive oil and hummus). It is SO good. Today, I learned that it is possible to get through a yoga class with at least 50 chaturangas in it and not give up.
simple and amazing, my boyfriend LOVES croutons, but he is picky around what they taste like and they have to be multigrain, they can’t be “white”. I might have to make some one time for him, but i dont know, it might spoil him too much ! haha
i learned that my cats weren’t giving me a dirty looks because i was eating chinese food.
it’s called “guilt.”
I love homemade croutons and they are so simple to make.
I learnt that I should take my sat nav for every car journey I make even if it’s just a few miles from my house. I got lost twice today :(
My cat steals hairbands as well. We found 27 of them when the old washing machine was taken away.
LOL – I always pretend my neighbors can’t see me either. I’m sure they have gotten some interesting views before.
Ooh yummy! I’ve been using soy nuts on my salads lately because I love the extra crunch, but I could easily switch to croutons like this!
Today I learned that:
1) I’m not the only one who isn’t sure about what I want from life
2) Sometimes a good cry is all you need
3) I have one of the best friends in the world
4) Pita Pit offers mini whole wheat pitas (6″ as opposed to the regular 9″) that are much more manageable than the regular type and leave me feeling comfortably full
5) I also learned some stuff related to my job that is quite techy and too boring to blog about but it made me feel quite clever! :D
I learnt today that I am fitter then I actually think I am and if I push myself to the limit I will not die, I may feel like I will be sick but I will not die :-)
The other week I had a huntsman in my bathroom, it took me 20 mins to get rid of it, I think 10 mins of that was me jumping up and down waving my arms about. I am sure the neighbors enjoyed the mad woman kicking a vacuum around her front yard in her dressing gown.
It is definitely possible to eat a whole tub of hummus in a day, I’ve done it quite a few times… :)
Hummus makes me happy, and I agree that it should be a food group.
Today I learned that with a little mental motivation and an upbeat playlist, I can accomplish a run on a Friday night after a very long week.
Congrats on advancing to Round 6!!
Today I have learned that my cat does NOT like his tummy being tickled…OUCH
Congrats on advancing! I actually went and checked too and I was SO excited to see your name!!
you are too cute, congrat on #6.
Those are some tasty lookin croutons if I have ever seen any!
Thats awesome!! congrats! Can’t wait to see what you whip up for the road trip challenge.
I learned today that I actually run much better when it is cold out, even though my lungs were protesting the whole time…. oh well, eventually I’ll find my happy medium.
I knew you’d make it to the next round :) I am honest when I say that I think you could totally win the whole thing :)
Thigh high slippers are genius — I would definitely invest in a pair and rock them with my Snuggie!
I ate a whole tub of hummus today too… most of it straight out of the container. I’m glad I’m not the only one who is obsessed with hummus ;)
I learned a couple things:
1.) Thigh high slippers idea… that’s brilliant! It’s always a freezing winter in Saskatchewan
2.) Stress can make you very ill
3.) Bridezillas and a well paid job are only worth so much stress!
4.) Human contact is healing for the soul
5.) Unconditional love from my cat is healing for the soul
6.) If I’m sick read important documents many times over before acting on what was read :S
and last but NOT least
7.) The love muffins recipe – instead of fruit I used pumpkin 3/4 cup and 1 cup carob chips = love in my tummy :)
Thanks for a great post and great pictures no matter who see’s you in your robe outside he he
Those look incredible! I looove croutons!