A recent weekday found me at home with very little on my to-do list (wonder of wonders) and a freezer bag full of raw Chicken bits – the pieces we didn’t use in a baked chicken meal last week. Combined with a ‘fridge full of vegetation that needed to be used and it sounded like chicken Soup to me.

Homemade soup is a food of love kind of thing. It takes time. It’s not something you just toss together (despite my casual approach to these things). I had the soup basically done and was getting ready to start rendering a bunch of old bread into Croutons when Spencer reminded me: “Make sure you blog about this meal, it sounds great!”

Ummm… whoops!

The soup was already strained and just waiting for the addition fresh vegetables (carrot slices, snow peas, green onions and parsley) and the return of the now cooked and diced chicken bits.

Attempting to save the day, I grabbed my camera and plunked it on the counter, carefully directing the focus onto my work surface. Let me interject here – Spencer and I live in an apartment whose kitchen was obviously not designed by a cook. It’s a very small space, barely 8 feet long, with a galley walkway between the two counters that measures only 45 inches across. Yet, somehow, Spencer and I can happily share this space, working together in what seems to be a choreographed routine. Storage is another story and has required some creative solutions as well as alterations to my usual routine that took me many years to perfect.

But I digress. I decided to take pics of the crouton process… yeah, it ain’t Chicken Soup. And your point here is?

Seriously, homemade croutons are a thing of beauty not to be scoffed at!! I’m talking regular, cubey little croutons – y’know… for your salad… Only… better… much, much better!

Start with old (dry, stale, whatever you want to call it) bread…

A sprinkle of balsamic vinegar, really good olive oil, and a bit of seasoning – kosher salt, pepper, and a mixture of herbs called “herbs de provence” (heaven!)

By the way, that cute apron (the pink thing in the background) is from Flirty Aprons. There is absolutely no reason not to look cute while protecting your clothes! Need I point out that I was wearing a pair of nice jeans, a terrific silky soft black tee with soft, floaty sleeves, and, of course, hot shoes (and other items), with hair and makeup done… Hey, if the man is going to come home to a nice dinner, having nice scenery is a bonus.

I digress, again.

Into the oven, 250 degrees, shake it a time or two… about 20 minutes, or until the croutons are dry, and crispy to your liking.

And…

The final verdict?

Spencer came home to dinner going onto the candlelit table, and it was fabulous. Simple, but fabulous. Soup, salad, great bread, and even better company.

It just doesn’t get any better than that!

Oh, wait… Yes, it does….

Posted in Eating In Tagged: chicken soup, cooking, croutons, Eating In