Homemade Croutons

Here is a recipe for homemade croutons:

-  1/2 or 1 loaf of French bread (depending if you want to make a lot of jut enough for a dish for the family/friends and bread should preferably be homemade)

-  softened butter

-  pesto seasoning (which includes dried basil, garlic powder, and dried parsley)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.  Cube 1/2 to 1 loaf of the French bread and place on foil lined cookie sheet.  Spread softened butter on one side of each cube of bread.  With the butter side up, sprinkle the bread cubes with the pesto seasoning well enough to coat each piece.  Place in your preheated oven for approximately 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly bowled.  Remove and let cool.  Serve on a salad, or place in a food processor and make your own bread crumbs!  Store any remaining croutons in an air tight container at room temperature.

*On a side note, you might be asking, "why didn't she turn over the bread crumbs half way through baking, or after 20 to 25 minutes, spread with butter, sprinkle with the pesto seasoning, and bake longer?!"  Personally, I don't think it is necessary.  I think the croutons come out just fine and taste great the way I instructed above.