Croutons

Ingredients: 

fresh or leftover bread of any kind

olive oil - depends on how much bread u have...

following Seasonings as per taste:

salt

dried basil leaves

dried oregano leaves

dash of garlic powder

black pepper or paprika (optional)

Directions:

• cut bread into 1 inch thick chunks. no need to discard the edges at all.

• in a bowl add bread chunks to this add olive oil, garlic powder, and rest of the seasoning.. u can add your choice of seasoning too...mix well...bread should be coated well with oil and all other mixture...
• preheat oven to 350 degree F. in a baking sheet spread the bread pieces in a single layer and put in oven...
• u need to keep an eye on bread as it might burn and also turn from time to time..till it becomes crisp and light golden brown
• taste it if it crunchy.  then the croutons are ready, allow it to cool down and store in air tight container or Ziploc bags.
• serve with soups, salads or eat just like dt...i bet, u will never buy croutons from store ever.

Moist Banana Nut Bread

       The first and best banana bread i ever had was from Fremont  Farmers market. i use to look forward for Sundays...i enjoy shopping at Farmers market..its fun for me...bet any foodie will agree with that.  
        Alas! left Fremont and now in New Jersey...all i experienced here was snow storm so no question of farmers market in winter...So, decided to make banana bread.                  
        This recipe will make one loaf of bread. the Pan size i used was: 8in.*3in.*2 1/2in.  want more than one loaf just double the amount of all ingredients. The result is not bad at all...so here is simple and easy Moist Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1 cup - all purpose flour

1/2 cup - sugar

3/4th stick - melted unsalted butter

1 - large egg

2 - over ripe bananas (medium size)

1/2 tsp - baking soda

1/4 tsp - baking powder

pinch of salt

1/2 tsp - vanilla extract

1 tbsp - honey (optional) 

1/4 cup - chopped pecans (or any other nuts)

some cooking spray oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F 
2. Add all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well
3. Now add melted butter, egg and mix it well for 1 min using hand mixer or spatula
4. Mash bananas and add to the above mixture along with vanilla extract and honey
5. Again mix well all these ingredients.  Batter should be moist and not too lumpy.
6. Now add chopped pecans and stir well
7. Grease loaf pan using cooking spray or butter and pour all the batter into it
8. Keep in oven for 1 hour. After 45 mins, check by inserting toothpick or knife. If the tooth pick comes out clean then bread is ready
9. Once bread is cooled, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices or just dig in. Enjoy!