10 Things to Do With Stale Bread

10 Things to Do With Stale Bread

In my family of 8, stale bread almost never happens. We’re much more likely to eat it all up and run out. But sometimes when we make homemade bread with no preservatives of any kind, we end up with stale bread. Instead of wasting it, why not use it in a recipe? You could also buy stale bread on purpose at the grocery store at a discount (ask in the bakery area of your favorite store or visit a day old bakery store).

1. Soup thickener – Many soups can be thickened by adding bread. Just think of the French onion soup you get in a bread bowl. The consistency becomes top notch when you start scraping the sides.
2. French toast – No matter how dry the bread is, soak it in some eggs, milk and cinnamon and you have the makings for some killer French toast. This is even truer with breads that have hard outer crusts. Recipes: Apple French Toast; Baked French Toast Casserole; Baked Orange Juice French Toast
3. Bread pudding – Of course this has to be in the list, after all, it is the main ingredient.
4. Egg in a nest – If you want a breakfast that will transport you back to your childhood, sitting in your mother’s kitchen, try egg in a nest. Make a small hole (using a cookie cutter or glass) in the middle of a slice, place it in a buttered pan, drop an egg in the whole and and flip when firm. Use the small round to make toast.
5. Panzanella – This is an Italian bread salad, which makes use of cubes of day old bread.
6. Croutons – Coat the bread cubes with a light drizzle of olive oil and your favorite herbs, pop in the oven around 375 for 15 minutes and you have the best croutons in the world. If you want to get daring, try tossing them with some roasted garlic, cayenne or dried mint right as they come out of the oven.
7. Breadcrumbs – Take your croutons, place into a plastic bag and smash them. Free breadcrumbs!
8. Garlic bread – The all time use for left over French bread, but the idea can be applied to almost any other type of day old bread for a slight twist on an old classic.
9. Stratta – This is an egg and cubed bread dish that is baked in the oven. A close cousin to quiche, strata is usually denser and can be made with any number of ingredients, try one with asparagus, mushrooms and goat cheese.
10. Hamburger stretcher – Chunk up the bread pieces, slightly larger than breadcrumbs and combine with the meat when you make your hamburgers. The bread will keep the burger light and juicy.