Monday 18 May 2020
Putting that extra loaf of bread to good use. Photo: Unsplash

The coronavirus has kept most of us at home. And baking has quickly become one of the most popular ways to spend our free time. Similarly, bread has also been one of the most sought after products during COVID-19. So here’s some handy ideas to prevent leftover bread from going to waste. 

 

French toast

french toast with leftover bread
Photo: Unsplash

 

The weekend would be incomplete without this lovely treat. Arguably making the best use of the leftover bread, the idea of dipping slices of stale bread in a mixture of sugar and egg and frying them in a buttered pan is a great way to kick-start your Sunday. For the best combination, pair this with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. 

 

Puddings

bread pudding
Photo: Pixabay

 

This is one of the easiest solutions for bread that has seen better days. Simply soak it in milk, add eggs and sugar to transform it into a pudding base. Next, experiment with your creativity by adding in the likes of raisins, chocolate, and pistachios. Once your oven has done all the hard work, the end result is a dessert that’s guaranteed to melt in your mouth. 

 

Salads

salad
Photo: Unsplash

 

Panzanella is a popular Italian bread salad that usually pairs ciabatta, juicy tomatoes, olive oil, olives, capers and peppers. Start off by dipping your bread briefly in cold water, before squeezing it into a crumble. Next, add your choice of vegetables and season with olive oil. To get a bit of protein in the dish, throw in some tuna chunks. 

 

Breadcrumbs

breadcrumns for one pot pasta with leftover bread
Photo: Unsplash

 

There’s no need to get store-bought breadcrumbs when you can make them at home. Just slice up your leftover bread and dry it out in the oven at 100°C. Then add it in a food processor to desired size. The end result is a great way to liven up one-pots and pasta baked, adding texture and depth to dishes that require a hint of crunch. 

 

Croutons

croutons
Photo: Unsplash

 

Similarly, croutons are fantastic to make hearty soups. A sprig of parsley and a drizzle of olive oil can transform your torn up leftover bread into a crisp treat. For the ultimate dinner party starter, sprinkle crunchy croutons and herbs over cauliflower soup. Likewise, you can also use them to liven up your chicken caesar salad.