Ingredients

　　4 ounces country-style bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 cups)

　　6 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into lardons (see page 179)

　　1 tablespoon canola oil

　　Freshly ground black pepper

　　Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the bread, bacon, oil, and pepper. Toss to coat. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and the croutons are golden, about 20 minutes.

　　From Bon Appétit, Y’all: Recipes and Stories From Three Generations of Southern Cooking, © 2008 by Virginia Willis. Reprinted by permission of Ten Speed Press. Buy the full book from Amazon or Abe Books.