Crazy Garlic Croutons

When a recipe says "broil for about one minute" it does not mean "broil and have a smack-talking session with your sister on iTunes messenger". It pays to actually follow the directions or else the results turn out a bit like this:


Sad face, right? Maybe that's what I get for talking smack? Ugh.

Regardless of the reason, it's never fun burning food~ especially when it's your first attempt at the recipe. Luckily I was just making croutons, so I won't cry over it.

A few days ago I made Fennel, Garlic and Potato soup and decided to add croutons inspired by croutons I saw on How Sweet It Is. I didn't have any stale bread lying around so I used some packaged croutons I had already. Resourceful right? Right!

These croutons were divine. Incredibly flavorful without overpowering the tastiness of the soup. This is the sort of recipe where you make and extra handful or so because you know you will be munching on them before they make it to the soup.


Ingredients:
One good handful of croutons
3/4 tablespoon of butter
garlic powder
If you are using a nonstick pan you will need a wooden spoon (or a utensil that won't hurt the pan).
If you are using any other type of pan you'll need a whisk.

Set oven to broil, and line a pizza pan (or your favorite baking pan) with tin foil. Add croutons and set aside.


Melt butter in the pan on medium heat. Stir until the butter bubbles and starts to turn brown. While stirring, dump however much garlic powder you want (I think my "dump" equaled about 2/3rds tablespoon). Keep stirring until the garlic is incorporated into the butter. Pour butter mixture over croutons, mixing it around if necessary to coat all pieces.


(This is a terrible picture. Sorry but I just couldn't get a good snapshot of the butter in the pan.)

Broil for about one minute, or until golden brown. Nibble on a few once they are cool, and the top your soup, salad, anything really, with the rest.




There is quite a bit you could do with this recipe. Add Sriracha sauce, red pepper flakes, or chives. Really whatever combination you like with garlic would work here. Speaking of which, what is your favorite thing to pair with garlic?