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 can’t wait for the 6th post- I’ve been loving all of your entries!
Today, I learned (yet again) that while I love my boyfriend to death, he cannot make plans to save his life.
I learned that somedays I”ll be hungrier than others…no matter how complete my meals are.
I learned that my friends from high school will ALWAYS be able to crack me up.
I learned that no matter how much I love almond butter, sometimes regular old peanut butter can be just as amazing
I learned that weeks are tiring…I’m BEAT on Fridays!
Wow! I just have to say I learned that some days I’ll be hungrier than others just as soon as I read your comment. I feel like it was something I always knew, but never really allowed myself to believe. Thank you!
I know! I always try to rationalize my hunger, but sometimes it’s just there! Our bodies are weird!
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!! I can’t wait to see what you have in store for the coming challenges.
Today, I learned that hearing my two year old nephew’s laugh can instantly make a bad day MUCH better.
p.s. If you ever decide to make thigh-high slippers, you can count me as your first customer!
I love making homemade croutons! That’s actually one of the first things my boyfriend and I cooked together.
Today I learned that when you point to a line and tell someone to “sign up here”, they may actually write “sign up here” instead of signing their name!
And tomorrow, I will learn what it is like to run my first 5K!!! Ooooh I am nervous.
haha I always worry my neighbors will see me if I’m out photographing my breakfast. hey, outside light works best!
maybe i would want to eat more salad if they had delicious croutons on them. good idea.
Well… I learned that a person with a fused spine should not do turbo kick boxing :( :( I was SO SAD when I had to walk out after the warm up… my back was killing me, I couldn’t keep up and pretty much felt like an idiot ;P … lesson learned.
I love slippers and totally understand how possible it is to eat a tub of hummus in one day.
A whole tub of hummus? That’s impressive! ;) And I totally agree- I live off of hummus. I buy the same one you do- nothing beats it!
Congrats chica! And I love your homemade croutons!
It’s only 2 pm and I’ve learned lots today: that a group is only as strong as it’s weakest link, and that your puppy WILL find the one important paper out of a group of many papers and shred it. Oh puppies. :)
Croutons MAKE salads! Who knew they were this easy!
I learned that people do really care at my office. I got homemade cupcakes, a blanket, and lots of other fun goodies for my birthday!
Happy birthday!
I’m so happy you’ve moved on to challenge 6! Yipee!
Well…I’ve been preparing for midterms and doing a bunch of homework so i’ve been learning a lot about school related stuff about geography and psychology lol. Not the most exciting stuff, but I guess that’s part of school right :P
I have thigh-high slippers. Found them at La Senza!
Thigh-high slippers sounds like a brilliant invention! I have boot-length slippers and they are sooo comfy and warm, but I agree that the rest of me is still cold. And I don’t even live anywhere outrageously freezing.
congratulations on round 6!
the question is: is it possible NOT to eat the whole tub of hummus in one day? so far today i’ve learned that just because you wish it so and try again and again and again, that big pot just won’t fit on that particular shelf!
Ok, I totally feel ya on being too cold in slippers…I’ve been wearing knee high boots with wool socks all day indoors!
I love homemade croutons, those look delicious!
Congrats on getting to the next level…definitely voted for you!
I learned that I will spend $20 on a Pillow Pet just to see the five year old’s face light up.
It’s definitely possible to eat the whole tub in one day… especially if it’s pumpkin hummus :) It’s awesome!
Today I learned that I can’t go into TJ Maxx and not purchase anything ;-)
Yum! Pumpkin hummus sounds amazing.
YUM! I love croutons. I can eat them like crackers!! Now I want to make my own.
The croutons look really good. They remind me too of pecorino/rosemary ones I made ages ago. Now I’m going to have to look for that recipe!
Too bad you couldn’t find someone to make a heavier – less open – version of these socks! http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/PATTlolita.html It would work great as slippers! As I add it to my someday when I figure out sock knitting list. :)
Today I learned that I make really silly faces when I hoop (as in hula hoop) – a mix of concentration and trying to not too spacey! Things you learn when debating a vlog post!