Fresh bread is like that friend who absorbs all your gossip but never shares anything back. It soaks up your broth and turns into a gummy paste. No good.
Toasted bread is the friend who listens, takes notes, and then adds its own flavor to the conversation. Each cube is like a tiny, crunchy bowl waiting to be filled with flavor.
You’re basically giving each piece of bread a pre-game warm-up. You’re saying, “Alright, buddy, get ready to hold all that sage and onion goodness without falling apart.”
How To Actually Do It (Without Burning Down The House)
First, buy your bread a day or two ahead. Let it sit out, cut-side up, like a lazy cat in the sun. This is called “going stale,” and it’s a good thing.
Now, preheat your oven to 350°F. That’s the “I’m serious about this” temperature. Get a couple of baking sheets. Don’t use the one you used for burnt pizza last week.
Cut your bread into ½-inch to 1-inch cubes. You want them bite-sized, not boulder-sized. Spread them in a single layer on the sheets. This is non-negotiable. Piling them up is like putting your kids in a crowded car—they steam and complain.
Pop them in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. Don’t wander off to check Instagram. Stay close. You’re looking for them to turn a light golden brown, like a perfect summer tan.
Give the pan a shake halfway through. This is your one chore. It’s like flipping a pancake, but with a thousand tiny pancakes. You got this.
