Spread on croutons before a meal

To our dear Rabbi Michael, peace be upon you,
I usually eat at a restaurant that serves bread croutons, which are like little cubes of toast. I usually take some of them with a meal without bread.
What is the order of the blessings?
Should we bless the croutons before or after the rice/couscous, vegetables and meatballs (not meat, God forbid. I’m vegan :))?
And does spending on a few croutons negate the other blessings?
Apparently they don’t come to grab the croutons, but rather the opposite.
And what if I want to eat the croutons while waiting at the checkout before the meal?
With many thanks and blessings,
Ofir