3 slices bread
2 tablespoons softened butter or margarine
¼ teaspoon garlic salt
Paprika

Trim crusts from bread. Blend butter or margarine with garlic salt; spread on both sides of bread. Cut bread into cubes; place them on baking sheet and sprinkle with paprika.

Bake at 300° F. (slow oven) until crisp and golden brown, about 20 to 30 minutes.

Serve on soups or salads or as a soup accompaniment.

Variation

Cheese croutons.—Mix bread cubes lightly with ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese before placing on baking sheet.

Creamy potato soup

6 servings

5 cups raw diced potatoes
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1½ cups water
3 cups potato cooking liquid and milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 teaspoons salt
Pepper, as desired
Paprika or chopped parsley

Cook potatoes and onion in water in a covered saucepan until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash potatoes; save cooking liquid.