Pesto Croutons

 Last week while traveling to New Orleans, I had a delicious salad from Stanley on Saint
Ann Street (Jackson Square). It was a mixed green salad with pesto croutons and roasted
pine nuts and the croutons were so good I knew I had to try to make them at home.



I make homemade croutons quite a lot. We love them in soup and on salads of course, but
pesto croutons were new to me. I couldn't wait to recreate that salad!

Homemade croutons could not be any easier. Simply toss day old bread crumbs with olive
oil, pesto and a little salt and pepper and bake for about 10 minutes.  Give it a try, you'll
never buy store bought croutons again! Cornbread croutons are also delicious!

My mixed green salad with pesto croutons and roasted pine nuts turned out just as good
as the one I ate at Stanley. I love discovering new food while traveling!

Pesto Croutons

4 C bread crumbs (I prefer french bread or ciabatta)

1 T extra virgin olive oil

1/4 C pesto

salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place bread crumbs in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil. Add pesto, stirring to coat.

Spread bread crumbs out on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake until golden, about 10-12 minutes. Serve over salad and soups.

Enjoy!