Savory Sweet Life

Simply Delicious Recipes for Everyday Living

Search Results for: pesto

Classic and Fresh: Basil Pesto Recipe

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basilpesto1

Today I went to the farmers market and bought 1 bunch of basil for $2. Of course I knew I would be making fresh garlic and basil pesto to use for a variety of dishes. What I love about pesto is its versatility. You can use it as a sauce on pizza, mix it with cream sauce, toss it with pasta, or on top of chicken and even on salmon.

Although you can buy basil in a jar at your local supermarket, nothing can compare to the taste and color of homemade pesto made from fresh basil and garlic. [Read more…]

The Joy of Discovery Recipe: Cilantro Pesto on Tomato slices

Last update: By 12 Comments

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If you’ve been following me this week than you know I’ve been participating in the United Way Hunger Action Week Challenge.  Today on a whim I created this recipe for Cilantro Pesto using a few inexpensive ingredients  I purchased for the Hunger Challenge.  The end result was amazingly flavorful.  In fact I plan on making this pesto on a regular basis I love it so much. [Read more…]

Homemade Croutons Recipe

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croutons

I learned how to make croutons when I was in 7th grade working at my uncle’s deli. Some of my job duties included making sandwiches, baking cookies, prepping salad and making seasoned garlic homemade croutons using leftover sandwich bread from the day before. Making croutons for soup and salads was a job I took very seriously customers would let my uncle know if I did a good job. Little did I know fresh daily baked croutons made everything taste so much better. Each crouton was tossed in butter, garlic powder, and parsley, then baked till golden brown.

If you’ve ever wondered what croutons are….croutons are rebaked (sometimes sauteed) cubed season bread often added to salads and soups for added texture.

Aside from being able to enjoy fresh croutons for soups and salads, I like making seasoned croutons because it helps me use up stale bread which might otherwise be tossed out. And because I hate wasting food, I will make croutons out of any leftover bread including hotdog and hamburger buns.
Honestly, how many times have you bought a box of croutons for a salad, only to let the rest of the box go stale (bye bye $3)? By making croutons at home, you can make as much as you need – which also saves money. This crouton recipe uses only a few ingredients you likely have in your cupboard and can also be used for “seasoned cubed bread” needed in stuffing recipes.
Best of all, fresh garlic croutons make a wonderful snack. Enjoy!

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION – RELATED RECIPES TO CONSIDER
Quicker Faster No-Knead Bread
You’ll need these croutons along with this great Creamy Pesto Salad Dressing!

 

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Homemade Croutons Recipe
Author: 
Recipe type: Bread
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 3 cups
 
Make homemade croutons at home with this easy recipe.
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
Instructions
  1. 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!
Notes
Mine typically take 30 minutes baking time total - your baking time may vary.