Hey guys! Hope everyone is doing well and staying at home during this crazy time. I have been cooking up a storm and sharing lots of my recipes online. If you are looking for some inspiring recipes using some great pantry ingredients from some amazing culinary pros, check out The Quarantine Collective on Instagram.
The Quarantine Collective Founded by @anthonyissaucy & @katie.stilo MISSION: Bringing together Culinary Professionals to unite and inspire others through virtual cooking.
I am one of the contributors and it's been great to connect with those looking for some new ideas on what to cook each day and how to pass the time. Check out my Instagram @ginaferwerda for more #CookingUnderQuarantine inspiration.
Today, I shared a great way to elevate your weeknight meals using a $1 loaf of French bread. With just one - 1 lb. loaf of French bread, you can make 10 cups of homemade croutons. Here's how to make 7 meals out of this one loaf of bread. Here's how to prepare the croutons.
CROUTONS
1/2 cup oil
2 garlic cloves, grated
1 tablespoon house seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic, onion and smoked paprika)
1 pound French baguette or country bread, cubed (about 10 cups)
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
PREPARE CROUTONS
Combine the olive oil, garlic, and seasoning. Add the cubed bread to a bowl, then toss in the oil mixture to thoroughly combine. Add the cubed bread to 2 large baking sheets. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
Let croutons cool and add to a zip-top bag or an air tight container and store in a cool pantry.
Day 1 - Michigan Cherry Salad
Add 1 cup of homemade croutons to your favorite salad! Here's mine:
Day 2 - Turkey Chili
Add 1 cup homemade croutons to your favorite chili, here's mine:
Day 3 - Antipasto Salad with a Bloody Mary Vinaigrette
Add 2 cups of homemade croutons to this Antipasto Salad to make it a Panzanella Antipasto Salad. Here's my recipe:
Day 4 - Mama G's Meatloaf & Loaded Potato Bites
Add 1 cup of homemade croutons to your favorite meatloaf, or here's my recipe:
Day 5 - Jalapeño Irish Beer Cheese Soup
Add 1 cup homemade croutons to your favorite soup, or here's my reicpe:
Day 6 - Muffler Meatballs
Add 1 cup homemade croutons to your meatball recipes, or here's my favorite:
Day 7 - Holiday Breakfast Casserole
Add the remaining 2-3 cups of homemade croutons to an egg bake, or here's my recipe:
Just remember that homemade croutons are a great way to elevate any dish. These 7 recipes used only 1 loaf of French bread that only cost $1. Even if you are heating up a can of soup from your pantry, simply add some homemade croutons to make it amazing!
Stay healthy everyone & stay home to help eliminate the spread of this virus. Show me what you are cooking with the hashtag #CookingUnderQuarantine
Thanks again to Anthony& Katie from the TODAY Food team for inspiring everyone during this difficult time.
