Savory Seedy Croutons

• 3 cups stale bread cubes (1/2 to 3/4 inch dice)
• 1 large egg white
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 tablespoon mustard seeds, yellow or brown
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 2 tablespoons hulled white sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon flaked sea salt, or 1/4 teaspoon regular sea salt

1. In a large bowl, beat the egg white with a large whisk until soft peaks form (or use an electric mixer). Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and whisk until it is incorporated. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and whisk again until you have a soft, fluffy almost-mayonnaise-like mixture.
2. Cut the bread with a serrated knife into 1/2 to 3/4 inch cubes, and fold the cubes gently into the whipped egg and oil mixture with a rubber spatula until they are completely coated.
3. Preheat the oven to 350u0b0F.
4. Coarsely grind the cumin seeds and mustard seeds in a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder. (This is where you get to bring out that seldom used mortar and pestle and look really professional.) You don't want a fine powder, just a crushed texture to release the oils and flavors.
5. In a small bowl, combine the crushed seeds with the remaining seeds and seasonings. Sprinkle this over the coated bread cubes and toss again gently until the seed mixture has coated the bread.
6. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the croutons are starting to turn a toasty golden color at the edges and are crisp on the outside, though depending on how dry your bread was to start out with, some may still be a little chewy on the inside, and that is lovely, too.
8. Let cool completely in the pan, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for several days, or in the freezer for several months to bring out whenever you want a bright crunchy pop of flavor on soups or salads.rnOr, serve them as nibbles anytime!

bread, egg white, olive oil, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, poppy seeds, hulled white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt

Taken from food52.com/recipes/19787-savory-seedy-croutons (may not work)