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By Monica              72 croutons;8 servin

These easy croutons use whole grain bread and replace butter with olive oil, for a much healthier recipe than traditional croutons. They add delicious crunch to soups and salads.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/3 cup basil pesto, store-bought or homemade (recipe at www.theyummylife.com/recipes/25)
• half of a 1-lb loaf whole grain bread, cut in 1" cubes; may also use stale, leftover bread (approx. 5 cups of bread cubes total)
• 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In large bowl, add olive oil and pesto; stir to combine. Microwave at full power for 20 seconds. Add bread cubes and toss until evenly coated with seasoned oil. Add cheese and toss again. Pour onto baking sheet and spread in single layer. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until toasted and golden; stir half way through; will get crispier as they cool. Serve over salad or soup. Store in airtight container for 1-2 days. Freeze after that.

If croutons lose crispness after storing or freezing, return to 325 degree oven for 10 minutes to restore crunchy texture.

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Hi, I'm Monica... Thanks for stopping by! This is a place to chat about the good things in life with a focus on fun, easy, healthy recipes and an occasional yummy splurge thrown in. Read more about The Yummy Life