Garlic Croutons with Thyme
Submitted by Heather6
Skillet garlic croutons toasted in butter with thyme. Homemade croutons with real garlic flavor in 15 minutes, far better than anything from a box.
YIELD
1 cupPREP
15 minCOOK
15 minREADY
30 minThese croutons get their garlic flavor the old-fashioned way. First, the cut side of a halved clove rubs the skillet, seasoning the cooking surface. Then the garlic cooks slowly in butter for five minutes until golden, infusing the fat with flavor before being discarded. The bread cubes toast in that garlic butter.
This two-step garlic technique delivers a mellow, roasted garlic flavor rather than the harsh, sharp bite you get from raw minced garlic tossed on at the end.
Dried thyme added with the bread cubes blooms in the warm butter and coats every crouton. Toss constantly while toasting so they brown evenly on all sides.
Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt while still warm so it sticks.
Kitchen Tips
- Cut the bread into uniform ½-inch cubes so they toast at the same rate. Uneven sizes mean some burn while others stay soft.
- Use moderately low heat. Butter burns fast at high temperatures and takes the croutons from golden to bitter quickly.
- Day-old bread works best. Fresh bread is too soft and absorbs all the butter without crisping.
- These are best used the same day. Store extras in an open container, not sealed, to keep them crunchy.
Ingredients
Directions
Rub a small heavy skillet with the cut side of the garlic and in it cook the garlic in the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until it is golden.
Discard the garlic, add the bread cubes and the thyme, and cook the croutons, tossing them, until they are toasted lightly.
Sprinkle the croutons with salt to taste and transfer them to paper towels to drain.
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