Lately, I have been making soups in my Crockpot and for me nothing goes better with that than a fresh loaf of crusty bread. If I had to pick a favorite bread for dipping it would have to be sourdough! I find the more intense flavor of sourdough bread holds up well against most soups and stews.
These days (mainly because my kids are not teenagers yet :0) we don’t go through a whole loaf of bread at dinner. There is something so wonderful and comforting about fresh bread, it reminds me of Grandma. It is especially good when it is still warm, and I love how there are no preservatives! However, for those reasons it doesn’t hold up well for long.
There are a couple of options you can do with the left over bread.
You can freeze it, although it will never be quite the same again OR you can make home-made croutons. It is extremely simply to do and takes very little time. I love to add fresh croutons to my salads at lunch. It adds flavor, texture and helps keep me full longer. Next time you are staring down at a half eaten loaf of stale bread try making homemade croutons.
Homemade Croutons in Minutes
Ingredients:
Cubed pieces of your favorite loaf of bread (use your day-old or leftovers)
Olive oil
Butter (optional)
2 cloves garlic minced
Seasoning (I used a blend that I had on hand - Pizza seasoning)
Salt & Pepper
Directions:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Coat the bottom of the skillet with olive oil. If you like the flavor of butter on your bread a great combination is using olive oil with a dollop of butter mixed together. When the oil is warm (and butter melts if using) add the 2 cloves of minced garlic stirring for 1 to 2 minutes, just until it is starting to lightly brown. Next add the bread cubes. Toss in the garlic-oil mixture to coat. Add your salt, pepper, and seasoning and lightly coat the cubes of bread – there are no amounts just a light coating will do. Toast bread cubes until you start getting a golden brown color in spots.
These days (mainly because my kids are not teenagers yet :0) we don’t go through a whole loaf of bread at dinner. There is something so wonderful and comforting about fresh bread, it reminds me of Grandma. It is especially good when it is still warm, and I love how there are no preservatives! However, for those reasons it doesn’t hold up well for long.
There are a couple of options you can do with the left over bread.
You can freeze it, although it will never be quite the same again OR you can make home-made croutons. It is extremely simply to do and takes very little time. I love to add fresh croutons to my salads at lunch. It adds flavor, texture and helps keep me full longer. Next time you are staring down at a half eaten loaf of stale bread try making homemade croutons.
Homemade Croutons in Minutes
Ingredients:
Cubed pieces of your favorite loaf of bread (use your day-old or leftovers)
Olive oil
Butter (optional)
2 cloves garlic minced
Seasoning (I used a blend that I had on hand - Pizza seasoning)
Salt & Pepper
Directions:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Coat the bottom of the skillet with olive oil. If you like the flavor of butter on your bread a great combination is using olive oil with a dollop of butter mixed together. When the oil is warm (and butter melts if using) add the 2 cloves of minced garlic stirring for 1 to 2 minutes, just until it is starting to lightly brown. Next add the bread cubes. Toss in the garlic-oil mixture to coat. Add your salt, pepper, and seasoning and lightly coat the cubes of bread – there are no amounts just a light coating will do. Toast bread cubes until you start getting a golden brown color in spots.
These croutons even taste fantastic warm on your salad. Instead of throwing away stale bread it is a great way to stretch your grocery budget and turn it into something wonderful and delicious!
Happy Cooking & Happy Friday!
Create a great weekend, everyone!
What do you like to do with your stale bread? Do you make it into French toast, or maybe you know a few hungry ducks? Please share your ideas in the comments.
Happy Cooking & Happy Friday!
Create a great weekend, everyone!
What do you like to do with your stale bread? Do you make it into French toast, or maybe you know a few hungry ducks? Please share your ideas in the comments.
