M is for Money

While cleaning up the fridge I discovered the dried out ends of several loaves of bread. Unwilling to throw them away, I decided to make bread crumbs. It seemed like the perfect use - I was in need of some to make eggplant parmesan from the eggplants we grew.

Pretty much every family ends up with dried up bits of bread, like the heel that no one wants to eat. Those two ends are easily 10% of the loaf simply going to waste. Obviously the problem of old bread has been around for centuries, and there are many recipes adapted to make use of this otherwise throwaway item. Here are just a few ideas:

1. Bread Crumbs

Use a toaster or leave the bread out to dry for several hours. Once hard, use the food processor to pulse the pieces into bread crumbs. You can add seasoning or leave them plain. Store in an air tight container.

2. Bread pudding

Layer 6 slices of stale bread in a buttered baking dish, along with nuts or dried fruit like raisins. Mix 3 eggs with 2 cups milk, 1 tsp vanilla, cinnamon and ¾ cup sugar and then pour over the bread. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

3. Croutons

Cut or tear bread into chunks, season with olive oil, salt, pepper and other spices. Toast for 10- 15 minutes in a 350 oven.

4. Soup

Add chunks of stale bread to your favorite soup. There are also many soup recipes that use stale bread as a main ingredient

5. French toast

In a bowl mix eggs, milk, cinnamon and vanilla. Dip slices of bread into the egg mixture and then cook on a greased skillet or griddle.

6. Stuffing/Dressing

Mix chunks of old bread with onions, spices and broth to make poultry stuffing.

7. Bruschetta

Toast or broil sliced bread that has been drizzled with olive oil. Top with chopped tomato and basil.

8. Cheese Toast

Sprinkle dry bread with garlic butter and parmesan cheese and broil for 1-2 minutes.

9. Bread Salad

Toss bread cubes with diced tomatoes, red onion and cucumber. Add red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, basil and salt.

10. Apple Brown Betty

Use bread crumbs and apples to make this traditional dessert.

Being frugal means making use of what you have. Start getting creative in the kitchen to use up ingredients that would otherwise go to waste. What other ideas do you have for stale bread?


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