Mini Bread Baskets!

Perfect for a tea party, or for kids who don't like salad.  It is fun for kids and grown-ups to make and healthy too!!! 

*One caution, I just made this up last night and it is a work in progress and I will be fine tuning it as time goes on.*

Stuff you'll need.

First, cut off the bread crusts of the same amount of slices of bread as you want to make baskets.

(I used wheat bread to add more nutrition.  Also, save the crusts and use them to feed the ducks this summer.)

Second, roll the bread slices flat.

Third, make 4 small cuts on each edge of the bread.

Now, either brush the bread with olive oil and sprinkle with seasonings (I just used Italian Seasonings), or do it later after you have molded the bread.

Then, mold the bread on an upside-down muffin tin by getting the four cuts wet (with water, not oil) and press the overlapping bread.  You can cut off the corners if you want to.

I also tried putting the oil and seasoning on after molding the bread to the cup, but this didn't work so well.  It was hard to get the seasonings on the sides of the cup.  Then, later I discovered it is better to have the seasonings in the bread cup, because they scatter all over the place.

Bake at 250 for about 10 minutes.  You don't want them totally crispy yet, because we still have to add the basket handle.

(see, I only made one basket with the seasonings on the inside and I like that one the best -- it's less messy)

Cut the crust off another slice of bread, roll it flat, and cut it into strips, then put water on the ends of the strip and press onto the sides of the bread basket cup. You may need toothpicks to hold up the basket handle while it completely dries.

When the basket is dry and crispy (I just let it air dry), add your favorite salad stuffings, or veggies, or fruit.  Have fun getting creative!  Let me know about your creative ideas with this. 

Top with your favorite salad dressing and eat up.

Instead of having croutons in your salad, you have one giant crouton holding your salad!

Enjoy!