Soup Croutons

For a crisp, rich addition to soups, sauté small cubes or thin, decoratively shaped slices of bread in butter or olive oil with herbs or pepper flakes. Then dust them with cheese—freshly grated Parmesan, perhaps—while still hot. Serve the croutons in a small dish on the side and let guests help themselves; that way the croutons will stay crisp until the last moment.