Croutons

Croutons are crisp, garlicky bites – the tops of soups and salads come to life with them.

1. Cut the bread into even, roughly 2 cm cubes – with uneven pieces some would burn while others stayed soft.

2. In a large bowl drizzle the cubes with the olive oil.

3. Add the crushed garlic, the thyme, the salt and the pepper.

4. Toss it thoroughly by hand so every cube is evenly coated.

5. Spread it onto a baking-paper-lined tray in a SINGLE layer, so they do not overlap.

6. Bake at 180 °C for 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden and crisp.

Tip: It is best made from slightly dry, day-old bread. Once completely cooled, it keeps for a week in an airtight box – for salads and soups.