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<item>
  <id>11791</id>
  <title>The Basics: How to Make Croutons</title>
  <published_at>Mon Aug 10 15:07:00 -0700 2009</published_at>
  <link>http://www.chow.com/stories/11791</link>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <short_description>Buttery, garlicky, and they kick store-bought's ass</short_description>
  <long_description>Buttery, garlicky, and they kick store-bought's ass.</long_description>
  <img>http://www.chow.com</img>
  <author>none</author>
  <category>
    <id>91</id>
    <name>The Basics</name>
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  <pages>
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      <page_number>1</page_number>
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        <![CDATA[<div id="basics">

<div id="header">
<h1>The Basics: How to Make Croutons</h1>
<h3>Buttery, garlicky, and they kick store-bought&#8217;s ass</h3>
</div>

<div id="intro"><p>From the store to the kitchen to the table: We outline the steps that get you from raw ingredients to your dinner tonight, free of measurements and complicated techniques. It&#8217;s a method you&#8217;ll remember and whip out whenever you like. It is the most basic way to make the thing you&#8217;re making.</p></div>

<ul id="items">

<li class="heading">WHAT YOU&#8217;LL NEED:</li>
<li>- an oven-safe frying pan or a frying pan and a baking dish</li>
<li>- three slices of crusty white bread such as <i>pain au levain</i></li>
<li>- butter or cooking oil </li>
<li>- one minced garlic clove</li>
<li>- salt and pepper</li>
<li>- finely chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme (optional) </li>

</ul>

<div id="steps">

<p class="heading">WHAT YOU&#8217;LL DO: </p><a href="/assets/2009/08/basics_crouton.pdf" onmouseover="preview(1);" onmouseout="preview(0);" class="pdf">PRINT PDF</a>

<ul>

<li><p><strong>1.</strong> <strong>Heat the oven</strong> to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (it will take at least 20 minutes to warm up).</p><img src="/assets/2009/08/1Preheat450.jpg" alt="Step 1" /></li><div class="divider"></div>
<li><p><strong>2.</strong> <strong>Cut the bread</strong> into cubes.</p><img src="/assets/2009/08/2CubeBread.jpg" alt="Step 2" /></li><div class="divider"></div>
<li><p><strong>3.</strong> Place a <strong>knob of butter</strong> or some oil in the frying pan over medium-high heat.</p><img src="/assets/2009/08/3HeatPanAddButter.jpg" alt="Step 3" /></li><div class="divider"></div>
<li><p><strong>4.</strong> Once the butter is melted or the oil is heated, add the <strong>garlic</strong> and season with <strong>salt and pepper.</strong></p><img src="/assets/2009/08/4AddGarlicSeason.jpg" alt="Step 4" /></li><div class="divider"></div>
<li><p><strong>5.</strong> Add the <strong>bread cubes</strong> and stir to coat. <strong>Turn off the heat</strong> and <strong>season</strong> with more salt and pepper.</p><img src="/assets/2009/08/5CoatBread.jpg" alt="Step 5" /></li><div class="divider"></div>
<li><p><strong>6.</strong>  <strong>Transfer the frying pan to the oven;</strong> if you&#8217;re not using an oven-safe pan, put the bread cubes in a baking dish and put that in the oven. <strong>Cook for 10 minutes</strong> or until browned. Fold in fresh herbs (if using) and serve with an <a href="http://www.chow.com/stories/11761">easy Greek salad</a>.</p><img src="/assets/2009/08/6TransferOven.jpg" alt="Step 6" /></li>

</ul>

</div>

	<p><i>Illustrations by <a target="blank" href="http://profilereportage.com/">Bill Russell</a></i></p>


<div id="preview"><img src="/assets/2009/08/basics_crouton-preview.jpg" alt="PDF" /></div>
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