Making Croutons For Wedding Soup: A Simple Guide

Croutons are a great way to add a crunchy texture to your soups and salads. They are essentially small cubes of fried or baked bread. You can make them at home with just a few simple ingredients and they're a great way to use up any leftover bread. Here's a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

- Bread (any type, preferably a day or two old)

- Olive oil or melted butter

- Seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350-375°F.

2. Cut your bread into uniform cubes, about 3/4-inch to 1-inch in size.

3. In a large bowl, drizzle the bread cubes with oil and seasonings. Toss until they are evenly coated.

4. Spread the croutons on a parchment-covered baking sheet in a single layer.

5. Bake until crispy, flipping halfway through. The baking time will depend on the size of your croutons and how brown you want them, usually around 15-20 minutes.

6. Let the croutons cool and serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Feel free to experiment with different types of bread, oils, and seasonings to find your favorite combination!

Choosing the right bread

It is recommended to use slightly stale or day-old bread for making croutons. Stale bread is drier and will toast and bake faster than fresh bread. However, if you only have fresh bread, that will work too.

The type of bread you choose is also important. A crusty bread with an open crumb structure, such as a sourdough boule or French-style baguette, is ideal. The open crumb structure creates pockets that can capture seasoning, enhancing the flavour of your croutons. Additionally, the irregular shapes of these breads can make for whimsically shaped croutons. If you prefer a more uniform look, a rustic, handmade-style loaf is a good choice. These loaves typically have a thicker crust and a denser texture, creating a heartier crouton.

Sandwich bread is not typically recommended for croutons because the slices tend to be thin and the texture is often too soft and finely crumbed. However, if that's all you have on hand, you can still use it. Just keep in mind that your croutons may be softer and require a bit more time in the oven to crisp up.

When it comes to the size of your bread, consider how much time you want to spend cutting it into cubes. Smaller cubes will result in shorter baking times, while larger cubes may take longer to crisp up.

Lastly, if you have dietary restrictions, you can use gluten-free or vegan bread to make croutons that suit your needs.

With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to choosing the perfect bread for your croutons. So, grab that loaf and get ready to bake some delicious croutons for your wedding soup!

Preparing the bread

Before you start preparing the bread, preheat your oven to 350–375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. While the oven is preheating, cut the bread into even chunks or cubes, ideally no larger than 1-inch cubes. If you want uniformly sized croutons, use a knife to cut the bread. However, if you prefer a more rustic look, you can tear the bread into marble-sized chunks by hand.

Once you have cut or torn the bread into the desired size, place the pieces in a large bowl. Drizzle olive oil or melted butter over the bread, and toss until the pieces are evenly coated. You can also add your choice of seasonings at this stage. Suggested seasonings include salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, and Parmesan cheese. However, feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to suit your taste preferences. Just make sure that any cheese you use is a hard, aged variety with very low moisture content to ensure the crispiest croutons.

Choosing your oil

Smoke Point

The smoke point of an oil refers to the temperature at which it begins to break down and produce smoke. Different oils have different smoke points, so it's important to choose an oil with a smoke point that is suitable for the cooking method you are using. For example, if you are frying your croutons, you will need an oil with a higher smoke point than if you are baking them.

Flavor

Another important consideration when choosing an oil is the flavor. Some oils have a more pronounced flavor than others, which can affect the taste of your croutons. For example, olive oil has a distinct flavor that can complement certain dishes, while neutral-tasting oils such as vegetable oil will let the other flavors in your croutons shine through.

Health Benefits

Different oils have varying levels of health benefits. For example, olive oil is known for its monounsaturated fats, which are considered a healthy form of fat that can help lower the risk of heart disease. On the other hand, vegetable oils tend to be highly processed and may not offer the same health benefits as unrefined oils.

Availability and Cost

The availability and cost of the oil are also important factors to consider. Some oils may be more readily available or affordable than others, depending on your location and budget.

Usage

Think about how you will be using the croutons. If you are adding them to a salad, a more flavorful oil like olive oil may be a good choice. If you are using them in a soup, you might prefer a neutral-tasting oil that won't overpower the other flavors.

In conclusion, when choosing an oil for making croutons for wedding soup, consider the smoke point, flavor, health benefits, availability, cost, and intended usage. By taking these factors into account, you can select an oil that will complement your dish and provide the desired results.

Adding flavour

Choosing the Right Bread

Using a crusty bread, such as a sourdough boule or French-style baguette, can create perfect pockets for the seasoning to fall into. The irregular shapes of these breads also add a whimsical touch to your croutons. However, you can use any type of bread, including gluten-free options, depending on your preference. Just keep in mind that older, staler bread will toast and bake faster than fresh bread, and the size of the bread cubes will impact the total baking time.

Selecting Oils and Fats

You can use olive oil, melted butter, or a combination of both for your croutons. A mix of olive oil and butter provides the best of both worlds in terms of flavour and colour. As a general rule, use one tablespoon of fat per slightly heaping cup of cubed bread for the most flavourful croutons. If you're making garlic croutons, finely grate a clove of garlic into the oil or butter a few minutes before using it, or even several hours in advance for a stronger garlic flavour.

Seasoning Your Croutons

The only truly non-negotiable seasoning for croutons is salt, preferably kosher salt. However, you can get creative with the rest of your seasonings! Black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese are all excellent options. You can also experiment with different dried herbs and spices, such as rosemary, ranch powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, or curry powder. If using cheese, opt for a hard, aged variety with low moisture content to ensure crispy croutons.

Baking Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, toss the cubed bread with your chosen oil, butter, and seasonings until evenly coated. Divide the seasoned bread between two large baking sheets and bake until golden and crispy, flipping the croutons halfway through. The total baking time will depend on the size of your croutons and your desired level of crispiness, but it typically ranges from 15 to 20 minutes.

Baking

Preheat your oven to 350–375°F.

While the oven is preheating, cut your bread into cubes. Ideally, the bread should be a day or two old, but fresh bread will work too. You can use any type of bread, but crusty bread, such as sourdough or a baguette, will create more pockets for seasoning and a whimsical look. Cut the bread into cubes of roughly the same size, no larger than 1 inch, so that they cook evenly.

Place the bread cubes into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil or melted butter, or a combination of the two. For the most flavourful croutons, use one tablespoon of fat per slightly heaping cup of cubed bread. Toss the bread until it is evenly coated. You can also add seasonings at this stage, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or dried herbs like oregano, basil, or thyme.

Spread the seasoned bread cubes onto a baking sheet, making sure they are in a single layer and not touching. Bake for about 15–20 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden and crispy. If you are making garlic croutons, finely grate a clove of garlic into the oil or butter a few minutes before using it, or use garlic-infused oil. If using fresh herbs, add them when tossing the croutons after the first 5 minutes of baking.

Once the croutons are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool. Homemade croutons can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Frequently asked questions