Crunchy Ranch Croutons - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 loaf sliced bread (best if bread is slightly stale)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, melted (butter or margarine)
1 (1 ounce) envelope dry ranch dressing mix
Variation
1 (1 ounce) envelope caeser salad dressing mix or (1 ounce) envelope buttermilk salad dressing mix

Preparation

Cut crust from bread and discard the crust.
Brush both sides of each slice of bread with olive oil, melted butter or margarine.
Slice bread into 1/2-inch strips; turn and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch cubes.
Optional:
Place bread cubes in a plastic zipper bag; sprinkle with dry salad dressing mix to act as dry seasoning. Securely seal bag and shake, coating bread cubes with dry salad dressing mix.
Spread cubes flat on baking sheet. Preheat oven to 325\u00b0F Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet.
Note: For bigger croutons, use \"Texas Toast\" style bread and slice into larger 3/4-inch cubes.